Assessment

Michigan’s state-wide assessment program is the M-STEP which stands for the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress.  The M-STEP assesses Michigan Standards for English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies in Grades 3-8 and Science and Social Studies in Grade 11. 

The M-STEP tests the following grades and content areas:

• English Language Arts and Mathematics at Grades 3-8
• Science at Grades 4, 7 and 11
• Social Studies at Grades 5, 8 and 11

The ELA and Math M-STEP assessments, given in grades 3-8, have three components: a Computer Adaptive Test, a Classroom Activity, and a Performance Task.  Each piece is described briefly below.

• The Computer Adaptive Test includes multiple choice, technology enhanced, and short-constructed response test items.
• The Classroom Activity* is simply a short scripted-lesson, performed in the classroom setting, that prepares students for the Performance Task.  It supports students with the necessary context and vocabulary needed for the Performance Task.
• The Performance Task* is a larger multi-part task that involves both short and longer constructed response pieces.

All grades experience the Computer Adaptive Test during the ELA and Math M-STEP assessment. The Math Performance and Classroom Activity are administered at grades 3-8, while the ELA Performance Task and Classroom Activity are administered at grades 5 and 7 only.  

The design of these assessments moves beyond traditional multiple choice questions in order to assess content more deeply and strategically. To see inside these assessments the state has provided the following:

• Preview Test: The Preview test reflects what the on-line system will look like and provides a small set of sample Math and ELA questions from across the grade levels
• Grade Level Tests: The sample Grade Level Tests are full assessments by grade for ELA and Math. These assessments include a sample look at questions that can be found on the Computer Adaptive Test and the Performance Task.

You can access these resources, using the Chrome browser only, at https://wbte.drcedirect.com/MI/portals/mi/ott1.

The Science and Social Studies M-STEP assessments include traditional multiple choice questions similar to the MEAP.

The MME assesses students in grade 11 (and eligible students in grade 12) based on Michigan State Standards for English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies.  The MME includes the use of 3 assessment tools:  SAT with Essay, ACT Work Keys, and M-STEP.  

The SAT with Essay is a college admission test adopted by the State of Michigan as its required College and Career Ready assessment for 11^th graders. The SAT with Essay has 4 parts: Reading, Writing and Language, Math, and the SAT Essay. The SAT with Essay is used to assess students in areas of ELA and Mathematics that are critical and predictive of success in college courses. A more detailed look inside the SAT can be found at https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/inside-the-test.

The ACT Work Keys is a work skills test adopted by the State of Michigan as its required Work Skills Assessment for 11th graders. The ACT Work Keys assesses students in the following areas: Applied Mathematics, Locating Information, and Reading for Information.

The M-STEP is the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress and is used to assess Science and Social Studies in the 11th grade.

The PSAT is the preliminary SAT test that students in the grade 9 and 10 are required to take by the State of Michigan to assess ELA and Mathematics. The PSAT is a part of the College Boards' Suite of Assessments for assessing College and Career Readiness. The PSAT 8/9 test, that be given to 9th graders, is designed to provide baseline performance information.  The PSAT for 10^th graders is called the PSAT 10 test. This assessment will provide a check-in on a student's progress towards their preparedness for the SAT with Essay which is given in the 11th grade as part of the states' Michigan Merit Exam. A more detailed look into these two assessments can be found at:

• PSAT 10: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/inside-the-test
• PSAT 8/9 : https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-8-9/inside-the-test

The PSAT/NMSQT is an optional assessment for 11th graders in the fall who would like to quality for the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The PSAT/NMSQT is the same assessment as the PSAT 10, but is given at specific time in the fall (October) as part of this unique scholarship opportunity. For more information about the PSAT/NMSQT you can go to the following resources:

• PSAT/NMSQT: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10 
• National Merit: http://www.nationalmerit.org/entering.php 

MI-Access is Michigan’s alternate assessment program taken by students in grades 3-9 and grade 11 with significant disabilities when IEP teams determine that M-STEP, even with accommodations, is not appropriate. There are three types of MI-Access assessments to help meet students needs: MI- Access Functional Independence, MI-Access Supportive Independence (SI) and MI-Access Participatory(P).  MI-Access FI assesses ELA (Accessing Print and Expressing Ideas), Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies in grades 3-8 and Grade 11. MI-Access SI and P assesses, ELA, Math, and Science. Social studies is assessed using a locally constructed assess for students that quality for MI-Access SI and P. This assessment is given in grades 3-8 and Grade 11.

New students to the district who speak a second language are given the WIDA- APT screener to assess their English proficiency. For students who become eligible for English Language Learner services, students are given the WIDA-Access each winter/spring. WIDA- ACCESS assesses students in the following areas: Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking, and Comprehension and is aligned to the Michigan's Standards for English Language Arts. This assessment allows our English as a Second Language teachers and support staff to develop individualized instructional plans for students.

The NAEP is a representative sample of schools selected each year for federally-sponsored and reported national assessment results. Students in grades 4, 8, and 12 take tests in math, reading and science. Schools are selected to test by NAEP and the West Bloomfield Schools that are included in this assessment vary.

Summative assessment of learning

The Department of Curriculum and Instruction, in collaboration with classroom teachers, has developed, and/or continues to develop, assessments across all content areas and grade levels for use by all district teachers. These assessments are used to track student growth. Teachers use the results to adjust their instruction as needed, which may involve a change of pace, interventions or enrichments. Results are discussed within professional learning communities (grade level or content area teachers) to identify gaps in teaching and learning. These tests might be chapter tests, unit tests or quarterly tests.

Formative assessment for learning

These are on-going strategies teachers use before, during, and after instruction to assess student progress and to adjust instruction accordingly. Some examples: lesson pretest, short quiz, quick write, response with slate board, observation checklist, etc.

Electronic Device Policy for Students & Staff Ensuring State Standardized Assessment Security

DISTRICT GUIDELINE - STUDENTS
Students are not permitted to use, wear, or access any personal, non-testing electronic devices during testing or while on a break when in an active testing session. These electronic devices include but are not limited to smartphones, cell phones, smart watches, Bluetooth headphones, headphones that allow access to voice assistant technology, and computers and/or tablets not being actively used for testing purposes. Administration staff are to practice due diligence in actively monitoring students in the testing room and on breaks to ensure that electronic devices are not accessed. If a student brings an additional electronic device into the testing room, the test administrator must follow the district/building level electronic device guideline in ensuring the electronic device is stored appropriately and is not accessible to the student during testing. The testing environment is not to be disturbed by any electronic devices not used for testing or
test administration. If an additional electronic device is medically necessary for a testing student, the device must be left with the test administrator, or the test must be administered to the student in a one test administrator-to-one student setting, and the student must be actively monitored at all times while testing.

Additionally
● Students are not allowed to access the device used for testing for any other purpose than to complete the test during the test session.
● A student may not access any additional websites or applications during testing, or for any other purpose after testing, while in the testing room.
● Staff is to ensure that all testing devices are configured properly and that all background applications are disabled before testing begins.
● No pictures or videos may be taken during testing.

Prohibited Practices
● If a student has a cell phone or other non-test electronic device out at any point during a test session, that student’s test has been compromised and is to be invalidated due to prohibited behavior, even if the student did not use the cell phone or device.
● Students are not allowed to wear or access “wearable” technology (such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, Bluetooth headphones) during testing. If a student is wearing such a device during testing, that student’s test must be invalidated because the student has access to the device regardless of whether it was used or not.
● Even if a student has exited or submitted their test, they cannot use cell phones or other electronic devices in the testing room. If the student has exited/submitted the test and then accesses a cell phone/electronic device (including wearable technology), this constitutes prohibited behavior and the student’s test will be invalidated.

DISTRICT GUIDELINE - TEST ADMINISTRATORS/TEST MONITORS AND STAFF
Test Administrators and Test Monitors must be focused on active monitoring throughout test administration. During testing, staff may only use an appropriately configured device (for example, an iPad or Chromebook) for monitoring the WIDA, MI-Access, SAT, P-SAT, or M-STEP assessments, and these devices should be used for no other purpose, during testing.

A Test Administrator shall not disturb the testing environment through texting, speaking, or other cell phone/wearable technology/electronic device use, except in the event of an emergency (for example, sick student(s) in the room, technical issues).

Test content can never be photographed or communicated; this includes when a Test Administrator or Test Monitor needs to alert others of an issue or incident.

Test Administrators and Test Monitors are not to use their cell phones, wearable technology, or other devices to check email or perform other work during testing. All such electronic devices are to be silenced to reduce disruptions.

Staff who go between rooms or help troubleshoot technical issues during testing, may also use their cell phones to contact the service provider’s help desk; however, if possible, they should step out of the testing room to make calls, to minimize disruptions, without leaving students unsupervised.

Prohibited Practices
● If a test administrator or other staff in the testing room accesses an additional electronic device, this will result in a misadministration for the entire testing session and invalidation of the students’ tests, in addition to any other actions the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) deems necessary.
● Photography/communication of test content will result in a misadministration for the entire testing session and invalidation of the students’ tests, in addition to any other actions MDE deems necessary.
● If a test administrator or other staff in the testing room accesses an additional electronic device, this will result in a misadministration for the entire testing session and invalidation of the students’ tests in addition to any other actions MDE deems necessary.

COMMUNICATION PLAN
The school/district will share this guideline with its staff, students and families through the use of
our mass communication system in advance of assessments. In addition, this policy will be
reviewed at building staff meetings and placed on the district website.

MONITORING FOR USE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES
The test administrator and/or test monitor will remain in the testing site for the duration of the testing and will monitor student use of electronic devices in accordance with this guideline.

INCIDENT REPORTING PLAN
If there is an incident reported by students or staff, the test administrator/test coordinator will immediately notify the building principal who will notify the Superintendent’s office. An incident report will be submitted to OEAA through their secure website.

STUDENT CONSEQUENCES FOR VIOLATING GUIDELINE
Students violating this guideline may be subject to discipline as outlined in the student handbook, Administrative Regulations and/or Board Policy.

STAFF CONSEQUENCES FOR VIOLATING GUIDELINE
All staff who are responsible for testing will complete district required training. All staff administering testing, will sign an OEE security compliance form, in advance of the testing. If this is not done, disciplinary action will be taken within the parameters of their collective bargaining agreement.

RESOURCES
● May 18, 2022 memo from Andrew Middlestead, OEAA/MDE
● August 25, 2022 memo from Andrew Middlestead, OEAA/MDE
● 2022-23 OEAA Electronic Device Use for statewide testing

REQUIRED STAFF TRAINING
Building principals & test coordinators will coordinate with central office to review the new guideline with staff responsible for testing. Any new information will be communicated with staff through newsletters. In addition, all staff who are responsible for M-Step test administration, will complete required MDE Assessment Security training through Michigan Virtual and certify their completion through the secure testing portal.