The goal of statewide assessment is to provide all students with an opportunity to demonstrate what they know and have learned. Because students come from a variety of backgrounds and have diverse instructional needs, the State has developed different types of assessments to measure student learning. It’s important for parents to question the use of alternate assessments to understand the consequences (access to general education, graduation track vs certificate of completion, etc).
- Education Assessment: What it is and what it means MDE
- Should My Student Take the Alternate Assessment? MDE
- Supports and Accommodations FAQ MDE
- Supports and Accommodations Guidance Document for M-STEP, MI-Access, WIDA, PSAT, SAT, and ACT WorkKeys MDE
- MDE – Student Assessment (michigan.gov)
- Justice Department Issues Technical Assistance on Testing Accommodations September 2015
Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP)
The Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress is a computer-based assessment designed to gauge how well students are mastering state standards. These standards outline what students should know and be able to do in order to be prepared to enter the workplace, career education training, and college.
Michigan’s Alternate Assessment Program (MI-Access)
MI-Access is Michigan’s alternate assessment system, designed for students with cognitive impairments whose IEP (Individualized Educational Program) Team has determined that M-STEP assessments, even with accommodations, are not appropriate. MI-Access is further divided into Functional Independence, Supported Independence and Participation.
MI-Access is based on Michigan’s alternate content expectations for English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. Only students whose primary instruction is based on the alternate content expectations and meet the definition of a student with the most significant cognitive disabilities may take MI-Access. MI-Access is not designed for students with mild disabilities. IEP teams must follow the guidelines for participation in MI-Access.
