The State Board of Education adopted the following testing pattern, effective Fall, 2005

Science in grades 5, 8 and 11
Social Studies in grades 6, 9, 11

The new 2005-2006 Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) assessment designs for Mathematics and English-Language Arts were presented to the Board. It also included future plans for Social Studies and Science testing. To view this information, go to the Michigan ASCD website at: www.michiganascd.org/Source/source111104/AssessDesigns.pdf

The State Board of Education approved the Professional Assessment and Accountability Practices for Educators. The guidelines are for administering the MEAP; My-Access, the state’s alternative assessments for students with disabilities unable to participate in MEAP; Michigan’s English language proficiency tests now under development to assess English language learners required under Title III of the No Child Left Behind ACT (NCLB); and, the assessment –related activities for Education YES! state accreditation and NCLB Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) accountability. The document was developed by a subcommittee of the Office of Educational Assessment Advisory Committee (Michigan ASCD has representation on this committee) and the staff of the Michigan Department of Education Office of Educational Assessment and Accountability.
The document can be accessed on the Michigan ASCD website: www.michiganascd.org/Source/source111104/AssessAccount.pdf

The Michigan Department of Education High School Reform Team, consisting of a group of local educators and Department of Education staff, has been meeting since October, 2003. They presented a “white paper” document that was prepared for a presentation to the Lt. Governor’s Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth. The contents of the report, which includes recommendations for reform, can be accessed on the Michigan ASCD website at: www.michiganascd.org/Source/source111104/HSReformTeam.pdf (This is a large file, please allow time for opening this link). Reactions to this document are welcome at mascd@admin.melg.org.

The State Board of Education received the document, Early Childhood Standards of Quality for Pre-Kindergarten as proposed by a committee of more than 80 individuals.
Public comment on the document will be at the following locations and times:

• Macomb ISD, 44001 Garfield Rd., Clinton Twp., November 16, 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Berrien ISD, 711 Saint Joseph Ave., Berrien Springs, November 18,
  3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
• State Interagency Coordinating Council Meeting, State Board of Education Board Room, Hannah Building, 608 W. Allegan, Lansing, November 19,
  10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
• Dickinson-Iron ISD, 1074 Pyle Dr., Iron Mountain, November 29, 10 a.m. - noon
• Michigan Child Care Task Force Meeting, Michigan Library and Historical Center, 702 W. Kalamazoo St., Lansing, December 1, 11 a.m. – noon
• Patricia A. Taylor School for Exceptional Learners, 1515 Cemetery Rd., Petoskey, December 2, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

The Early Childhood Standards information is available on the web at:
www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-5234_6809-103343-,00.html.