Opportunity to Participate in Interim Assessment Field Test for K-2 and High School

Michigan schools are invited to register to participate in the Fall 2014 Interim Assessment Field Test (September 15-October 17, 2014). This field test is an important part of a high quality test development process and can be valuable to schools, students and teachers.

Reasons to Participate

• Prior to the state summative assessment to be administered in the spring 2015, participation in the Fall 2014 Field Test provides an opportunity for schools to test bandwidth capacity and to logistically schedule and move students through an online assessment experience. 
• Students would have the benefit of taking an online assessment in a low-stakes situation. The test would offer students a chance to have an online experience and to practice commonly used online assessment tools.
• Teachers who offer the field test assessments will receive an invitation to participate in a focus group that will provide valuable feedback on the interim assessment reporting features.

Districts may have several schools participate in one or more subjects and grade levels. Each participating school must individually register. Content areas to be field tested include:

• English language arts (ELA) and mathematics for grades K, 1, and 2.
• High school science courses (Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics)
• High school social studies courses (US History & Geography, World History & Geography, Civics, and Economics).

Technology Considerations: 

• Schools may use Windows or Mac desktops and laptops to administer the field test assessments.
• Additionally, MDE is seeking schools to administer the field tests on devices such as iPads, Chromebooks, and Windows 8 tablets (non-touch). Test window runs from October 20 - November 14, 2014. Additional information on testing with these devices will be provided during the next few weeks. 

Details regarding the minimum requirements for each device type are provided in the Michigan Testing Device Requirements document.

Additional information regarding the Fall 2014 Interim Assessment Field Tests:

• The Michigan interim assessments are only available on-line.
• All interim assessments are aligned to Michigan’s education standards and assess students currently enrolled in the subjects selected.
• If Earth Science high school courses are offered to 8^th grade students, schools may consider offering the Earth Science interim assessment to these 8^th grade students.
• The field test window is September 15, 2014 through October 17, 2014. Schools may administer the field test assessments any time within this five-week test window.

How to Register
To participate in the Fall 2014 Interim Assessment Field Test, please complete the registration survey for each school.


Check out more information about the Michigan Interim Assessments.

Spring 2015 Testing Schedule Update

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Spring 2015 testing schedules for all summative assessments in grades 3-8 and 11 have been updated.

The general assessment for grades 3-8 and 11 are shown in the first four rows of the table. The window for these assessments spans eight weeks with grades testing within sub windows as specified. The high school test window has been extended to provide high schools with the flexibility to complete
state summative assessments prior to the beginning of Advanced Placement testing if they choose to do so.

For more information and to check out the paper-pencil schedule, read the entire update.

TEN80 STEM EXPO

The National STEM League (NSL) is a practice league for future professionals that has recently been named one of four Exemplary and Scalable STEM programs by Change the Equation.
Thanks to sponsorship from the U.S. Army, you are invited to the one-day STEM Expo on
Oct. 23, 2014 at a Venue TBD in Detroit, MI that highlights project-based curriculum from
the NSL and engages high school students and educators in concepts and careers ranging
from race engineering to software+hardware innovation.
STEM Expo attendees are eligible to activate the full sponsorship and bring the NSL to their schools for sustained project-based learning that doesn’t forget the learning! Depending on the challenge you choose, full sponsorship includes up to $4,000 worth of non-consumable materials, STEM curriculum for clubs, camps or courses, training and entry into the 2014-15 National STEM League. Competition is optional. Collaboration and Creativity required!
Download the one-page application to reserve your school’s space.

Expo Details & Highlights

• Thursday, 23 October 2014 from 9:15 AM - 1:30 PM
• Location: TBD in or near Detroit, MI
• Transportation: Bussing stipend available upon request
• Lunch provided
• Participants will learn how ALL students can engage in STEM through Ten80’s National STEM League and join workshops featuring 3-D CAD and printing, race engineering, robotics and the language of computers and code.

Setting up positive classroom norms in your math class