september 10, 2008 1 1 michigan merit examination (mme) spring 2009 mme preparation

September 10, 2008September 10, 2008 1111

Michigan Merit Michigan Merit Examination (MME)Examination (MME)

Spring 2009 MME Spring 2009 MME PreparationPreparation


Welcome and Welcome and IntroductionsIntroductions

Michigan Department of Michigan Department of Education - OEAAEducation - OEAA

Jim GriffithsJim GriffithsPat KingPat King


Welcome and Welcome and IntroductionsIntroductions

ACTACT

Jim WashburnJim WashburnDiane WeyerDiane Weyer


Today’s AgendaToday’s Agenda

What’s new for Spring 2009What’s new for Spring 2009 Who tests in Spring 2009Who tests in Spring 2009 How to conduct a successful How to conduct a successful

test administrationtest administration MME critical dates and MME critical dates and

scheduleschedule


Today’s Agenda, Today’s Agenda, continuedcontinued

Review of the test site establishment Review of the test site establishment processprocess

Review of testing requirements Review of testing requirements (facilities & staffing)(facilities & staffing)

Training workshops – what to expect, Training workshops – what to expect, who who mustmust attend, who should attend attend, who should attend

Students testing with Students testing with accommodationsaccommodations


Today’s Agenda, Today’s Agenda, continuedcontinued Home school studentsHome school students Non-public school studentsNon-public school students Helping students prepare for the Helping students prepare for the

MMEMME Sources of InformationSources of Information Questions and AnswersQuestions and Answers


Questions?Questions?Email – Email –

[email protected]@resa.net

Fax: 734-334-1857Fax: 734-334-1857

mailto:[email protected]


What’s NewWhat’s New

Fall Retest eliminated!Fall Retest eliminated!


What’s New for Spring What’s New for Spring 20092009

Day 1 ACT Plus WritingDay 1 ACT Plus Writing– No changes No changes



Added the WorkKeys Locating Added the WorkKeys Locating Information testInformation test– Day 2 is now WorkKeys onlyDay 2 is now WorkKeys only– Students are eligible for the Students are eligible for the

National Career Readiness National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)Certificate (NCRC)



All Michigan components will All Michigan components will be administered on Day 3be administered on Day 3– MathematicsMathematics– ScienceScience– Social StudiesSocial Studies



40 minutes each; all multiple-40 minutes each; all multiple-choicechoice

The Michigan constructed The Michigan constructed response has been eliminatedresponse has been eliminated

Social Studies is now only Social Studies is now only one partone part



Only selected items from the Only selected items from the ACT and WorkKeys will ACT and WorkKeys will contribute to the MME subject contribute to the MME subject scoresscores

MME Science based on the MME Science based on the high school content high school content expectations (HSCE)expectations (HSCE)


Who Tests in Spring Who Tests in Spring 2009?2009?

Grade 11Grade 11– ALLALL students who are not students who are not

taking the MI-Accesstaking the MI-Access


Who Tests in Spring Who Tests in Spring 2009?2009?

Grade 12Grade 12– Students who have not Students who have not

tested previouslytested previously– Students who did not Students who did not

receive a valid MME score in receive a valid MME score in all subjectsall subjects


What is a valid MME What is a valid MME subject score?subject score? Performance Level 1 – AdvancedPerformance Level 1 – Advanced Performance Level 2 – ProficientPerformance Level 2 – Proficient Performance Level 3 – Partially Performance Level 3 – Partially

proficientproficient Performance Level 4 – Not Performance Level 4 – Not

proficientproficient


MME Subject Score – MME Subject Score – Not ValidNot ValidNo scale score or Performance No scale score or Performance

LevelLevel Nonstandard accommodationNonstandard accommodation Did not meet attemptednessDid not meet attemptedness Prohibited BehaviorProhibited Behavior MisadministrationMisadministration


How to Conduct a How to Conduct a Successful MME Test Successful MME Test

Administration Administration


How to Conduct a How to Conduct a Successful Test Successful Test AdministrationAdministration

Become familiar with MME Become familiar with MME procedures and calendarprocedures and calendar

Assign responsibilities Assign responsibilities Manage the test day scheduleManage the test day schedule Read all training materials Read all training materials

and supervisor manualsand supervisor manuals


How to Conduct a Successful How to Conduct a Successful Test Administration, Test Administration, continuedcontinued

DON’T wait until it’s too lateDON’T wait until it’s too late DON’T miss DUE DATESDON’T miss DUE DATES Ask Questions – Don’t assumeAsk Questions – Don’t assume STATE TESTING is STATE TESTING is NOTNOT ACT ACT

National TestingNational Testing


MME Test DatesMME Test Dates Initial Testing (Spring 2009)Initial Testing (Spring 2009)

– March 10: March 10: ACT Plus WritingACT Plus Writing– March 11: March 11: WorkKeysWorkKeys– March 12: March 12: Michigan Michigan

ComponentsComponents


MME Test DatesMME Test Dates

Makeup Testing (Spring 2009)Makeup Testing (Spring 2009)– March 24: March 24: ACT Plus WritingACT Plus Writing– March 25: March 25: WorkKeysWorkKeys– March 26: March 26: Michigan Michigan

ComponentsComponents


MME Test DatesMME Test Dates

Accommodations Testing Accommodations Testing Windows (Spring 2009)Windows (Spring 2009)– Day 1: March 10 – March 24Day 1: March 10 – March 24– Day 2: March 11 – March 25Day 2: March 11 – March 25– Day 3: March 12 – March 26Day 3: March 12 – March 26


Major Activities for Major Activities for Spring 2009Spring 2009

Establish/renew Michigan high Establish/renew Michigan high schools as test sites by schools as test sites by September 19September 19


Major Activities for Major Activities for Spring 2009Spring 2009 Identify/confirm key staffIdentify/confirm key staff

– Test Supervisor (TS)Test Supervisor (TS)– Back-up Test Supervisor Back-up Test Supervisor

(BU)(BU)– Test Accommodations Test Accommodations

Coordinator (TAC)Coordinator (TAC)


Major Activities for Major Activities for Spring 2009Spring 2009 Apply for testing Apply for testing

accommodationsaccommodations Train key staffTrain key staff

– Test SupervisorTest Supervisor– Back-up Test SupervisorBack-up Test Supervisor– Test Accommodations Test Accommodations

CoordinatorCoordinator


Spring 2009 MME Spring 2009 MME ScheduleScheduleWeek ofWeek ofAugust 25August 25

Test Site Test Site Renewal/Establishment Renewal/Establishment Packets sent to high school Packets sent to high school principals; including principals; including Workshop informationWorkshop information

September September 88

Staff begin to register Staff begin to register online for Workshop online for Workshop TrainingTraining


Spring 2009 MME Spring 2009 MME ScheduleScheduleSeptember September 1010

MME Spring 2009 MME Spring 2009 Preparation WebcastPreparation Webcast


Accommodations Training Accommodations Training Webcast (for TACs)Webcast (for TACs)


Test Site Test Site Renewal/Establishment Renewal/Establishment Packets due back to ACT - Packets due back to ACT - Staff and facilitiesStaff and facilities


Spring 2009 MME Spring 2009 MME ScheduleScheduleSeptember September 2929

Administrator Training Administrator Training Workshop registration Workshop registration completedcompleted

October 27-October 27-3131

Testing Staff Workshop Testing Staff Workshop Training conducted at 10 Training conducted at 10 sites statewidesites statewide

December 1December 1 Receipt deadline for Receipt deadline for applying for ACT-approved applying for ACT-approved accommodationsaccommodations


Spring 2009 MME Spring 2009 MME ScheduleScheduleDecember 1December 1 Off-site testing requests Off-site testing requests

due to ACTdue to ACTJanuary 16January 16 All standard materials and All standard materials and

accommodated materials accommodated materials for Days 2 and 3 orders for Days 2 and 3 orders duedue

January 23January 23 Receipt deadline for Receipt deadline for ordering state-allowed ordering state-allowed accommodationsaccommodations


MME Test Center MME Test Center Renewal/EstablishmentRenewal/Establishment

Renewal/Establishment Renewal/Establishment Packets sent to high schools Packets sent to high schools the week of August 25the week of August 25– Sent to HS principalsSent to HS principals– Courtesy copy sent to Courtesy copy sent to

District Assessment District Assessment CoordinatorsCoordinators


MME Test Center MME Test Center Renewal/EstablishmenRenewal/Establishmentt Principals – select/confirm Principals – select/confirm

your school’s Test Supervisor, your school’s Test Supervisor, Back-up Test Supervisor, and Back-up Test Supervisor, and Test Accommodations Test Accommodations Coordinator Coordinator


MME Test Center MME Test Center Renewal/EstablishmenRenewal/Establishmentt Complete the Complete the MME MME

Appointment of Testing Staff Appointment of Testing Staff & School Information form & School Information form

Deadline for return of Deadline for return of Principal’s materials Principal’s materials September 19September 19


MME Test Center MME Test Center Renewal/Establishment Renewal/Establishment

Review key documentsReview key documents– Standard Testing Standard Testing

RequirementsRequirements– School Schedule and Site School Schedule and Site

Options for Administration of Options for Administration of the 2009 Michigan Merit the 2009 Michigan Merit ExaminationExamination


Key Documents, Key Documents, continuedcontinued

– Summary of Test Summary of Test Administration PoliciesAdministration Policies

– Qualifications and Qualifications and Responsibilities for Test Responsibilities for Test Supervisors and Back-up Supervisors and Back-up Test SupervisorsTest Supervisors


Key Documents, Key Documents, continuedcontinued

– Qualifications for Test Qualifications for Test Accommodations Accommodations CoordinatorsCoordinators


MME Test Center MME Test Center Renewal/Establishment Renewal/Establishment

Documents Documents to be returnedto be returned by by September 19, 2008:September 19, 2008:– Principals – Principals – MME Appointment of MME Appointment of

Testing Staff & School Testing Staff & School Information form Information form

– Test Supervisors - Test Supervisors - ACT State ACT State TestingTesting 2009 Test Supervisor and 2009 Test Supervisor and Facilities ProfileFacilities Profile


MME Test Center MME Test Center Renewal/Establishment, Renewal/Establishment, continuedcontinued

– Back-up Test Supervisors - Back-up Test Supervisors - ACT ACT State Testing 2009 Back-up State Testing 2009 Back-up Test Supervisor ProfileTest Supervisor Profile

– Test Accommodations Test Accommodations Coordinators - Coordinators - ACT State ACT State Testing 2009 Test Testing 2009 Test Accommodations Coordinator Accommodations Coordinator ProfileProfile


Assessment SitesAssessment Sites Preferred site is in a quiet wing Preferred site is in a quiet wing

of the high schoolof the high school– School in session for all School in session for all

students, orstudents, or– School for testing students School for testing students

onlyonly


Assessment Sites, Assessment Sites, continuedcontinued

Off-site administrationOff-site administration– Community CollegeCommunity College– ISD/RESAISD/RESA– Other public facilityOther public facility– Other private facilityOther private facility

Each site must be approved by ACTEach site must be approved by ACT(deadline December 12, 2008)(deadline December 12, 2008)


Assessment FacilitiesAssessment Facilities Choice of testing rooms for standard Choice of testing rooms for standard

time administrationtime administration– Uncrowded seating – prefer classrooms Uncrowded seating – prefer classrooms

with 25-30 examineeswith 25-30 examinees– Manageable security – prefer no more Manageable security – prefer no more

than 100 examinees in one room than 100 examinees in one room – Good lighting, comfortable temperature, Good lighting, comfortable temperature,

quiet atmospherequiet atmosphere


Assessment FacilitiesAssessment Facilities Adequate writing surfacesAdequate writing surfaces

– No lapboards permitted; temporary No lapboards permitted; temporary surfaces resting on chair arms or surfaces resting on chair arms or back of chair in front must be back of chair in front must be reviewed and approved by ACTreviewed and approved by ACT

– Must accommodate both test Must accommodate both test booklet and answer documentbooklet and answer document


Assessment FacilitiesAssessment Facilities Seating arrangements (Applies Equally to Seating arrangements (Applies Equally to

Desks and Tables)Desks and Tables)– Seats must be assigned by testing staff as Seats must be assigned by testing staff as

students enter room students enter room – Minimum of 3 feet apart side-to-side Minimum of 3 feet apart side-to-side

(measured shoulder-to-shoulder)(measured shoulder-to-shoulder)– Minimum of 3 feet apart front-to-back Minimum of 3 feet apart front-to-back

(measured head-to-head)(measured head-to-head)– All students must face the All students must face the samesame direction, direction,

directly behind one anotherdirectly behind one another


Assessment FacilitiesAssessment Facilities

Freedom from distractionsFreedom from distractions– No one No one not involvednot involved in testing may be in the in testing may be in the

roomroom– Uninterrupted testing period required for all Uninterrupted testing period required for all

days of testingdays of testing– No unnecessary noises (bells, public address No unnecessary noises (bells, public address

systems, etc. must be turned off)systems, etc. must be turned off)– Testing rooms must be separated from Testing rooms must be separated from

regular school activitiesregular school activities


Exception for Day 2 Exception for Day 2 and Day 3 Onlyand Day 3 Only Students permitted in building or Students permitted in building or

wing for instructional purposes wing for instructional purposes onlyonly

Bells Bells Public AnnouncementsPublic Announcements Permitted ONLY if hardship Permitted ONLY if hardship

situationsituation


Required MME Required MME PersonnelPersonnel Test SupervisorTest Supervisor

– Responsible for all MME assessment Responsible for all MME assessment activitiesactivities

– Responsible for all testing materialsResponsible for all testing materials Back-up Test SupervisorBack-up Test Supervisor

– Responsible to serve if Test Supervisor Responsible to serve if Test Supervisor unable to do sounable to do so

– Will assist the Test SupervisorWill assist the Test Supervisor


Required MME Required MME PersonnelPersonnel Test Accommodations CoordinatorTest Accommodations Coordinator

– Assures that each student requiring Assures that each student requiring accommodations applies for them - ACT-accommodations applies for them - ACT-approved or state-allowedapproved or state-allowed

– Coordinates all Accommodations Testing Coordinates all Accommodations Testing for your schoolfor your school

These personnel needed in These personnel needed in eacheach high high schoolschool

Named by Named by September 19September 19


Avoiding Conflicts of Avoiding Conflicts of InterestInterest

Test (and Back-up) Test Supervisors have Test (and Back-up) Test Supervisors have access to secure test materials prior to access to secure test materials prior to testing.testing.



To avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, To avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, and to protect relatives (children, step-children, and to protect relatives (children, step-children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, siblings, in-laws, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, siblings, in-laws, spouses, and persons under your guardianship) spouses, and persons under your guardianship) from allegations of impropriety:from allegations of impropriety:– Test (and Backup) SupervisorsTest (and Backup) Supervisors may may notnot be be

related to related to anyany examinee taking the examinee taking the ACT/WorkKeys in 2008-2009 ACT/WorkKeys in 2008-2009 anywhereanywhere in in Michigan.Michigan.

– Room supervisors and proctorsRoom supervisors and proctors may may notnot assist in a room where any relative is being assist in a room where any relative is being testedtested



TACs – May not be related to or TACs – May not be related to or guardian of any examinee guardian of any examinee participating in MME participating in MME accommodations testing accommodations testing anywhereanywhere in Michigan this year. (see list of in Michigan this year. (see list of relatives / guardians on prior slide)relatives / guardians on prior slide)



Testing staff supporting Testing staff supporting accommodations – May not be accommodations – May not be involved in coaching high school involved in coaching high school athletics or college athletics athletics or college athletics (applicable only if student testing (applicable only if student testing with accommodations with accommodations participates in athletics)participates in athletics)


Training Workshops – what Training Workshops – what to expect, who to expect, who mustmust attend, attend, who should attendwho should attend

Half – Day Training SessionsHalf – Day Training Sessions

Workshop materials available at each Workshop materials available at each sessionsession


Training Workshops – what Training Workshops – what to expect, who to expect, who mustmust attend, who should attendattend, who should attend

ONLY for “Named” Test StaffONLY for “Named” Test Staff -- -- ALLALL New New Test Supervisors, Back-Test Supervisors, Back-up Test Supervisors, and Test up Test Supervisors, and Test Accommodations Coordinators Accommodations Coordinators are are RequiredRequired to Attend. Ideally, to Attend. Ideally, testing staff from each school will testing staff from each school will attend the same workshop attend the same workshop session. session.


Training Workshops – what to Training Workshops – what to expect, who expect, who mustmust attend, who attend, who should attendshould attend

What if all staff members have What if all staff members have been previously trained?been previously trained?

Strongly recommend at least one Strongly recommend at least one key staff person attendkey staff person attend


Training Workshops –Training Workshops –what to expectwhat to expect

What will be covered:What will be covered:

– Testing Requirements – before, Testing Requirements – before, during, and after testingduring, and after testing

– Procedures for Day 1, Day 2, and Procedures for Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3Day 3

– Ordering materialsOrdering materials– Returning materialsReturning materials


Training Workshops – Training Workshops – what to expectwhat to expect

– Avoiding the PitfallsAvoiding the Pitfalls– Testing with AccommodationsTesting with Accommodations– In-school training for room In-school training for room

supervisors and proctorssupervisors and proctors– Question and AnswersQuestion and Answers



Arrive Early – All Attendees Arrive Early – All Attendees mustmust sign-insign-in

This Training Is This Training Is ONLYONLY for TS, for TS, Backup TS, Test Accommodations Backup TS, Test Accommodations Coordinators, and District Coordinators, and District Assessment CoordinatorsAssessment Coordinators



If your school staff has not If your school staff has not been trained – YOUR School been trained – YOUR School will will NOTNOT be allowed to be allowed to participate in MMEparticipate in MME


Training Dates and Training Dates and LocationsLocations

Oct 27 – Oct 27 – MarquetteMarquette

Oct 28 – St. Oct 28 – St. IgnaceIgnace

Oct 29 – CadillacOct 29 – Cadillac Oct 30 – Grand Oct 30 – Grand

RapidsRapids Oct 31 – Oct 31 –

KalamazooKalamazoo

Oct 27 – Oct 27 – University University

CenterCenter Oct 28 – LansingOct 28 – Lansing Oct 29 – DetroitOct 29 – Detroit Oct 30 – WarrenOct 30 – Warren Oct 31 – NoviOct 31 – Novi


Students testing with Students testing with accommodationsaccommodations

For the MME Day 1, two types of For the MME Day 1, two types of Accommodations will be Accommodations will be available:available:

– ACT - Approved AccommodationsACT - Approved Accommodations– State - Allowed AccommodationsState - Allowed Accommodations


Students testing with Students testing with accommodationsaccommodations For Days 2 and Day 3, no For Days 2 and Day 3, no

approval required, based on approval required, based on student IEP, 504 plan, or ELL student IEP, 504 plan, or ELL instructioninstruction


Training for TACsTraining for TACs September 11, 2009September 11, 2009 – –

MME Accommodations WebcastMME Accommodations Webcast– Especially for Test Accommodations Especially for Test Accommodations

Coordinators (TAC)Coordinators (TAC)– Does not replace the Does not replace the requiredrequired

workshops in Octoberworkshops in October– Principals – ensure your TACs view Principals – ensure your TACs view

this trainingthis training


Home School StudentsHome School Students Home School students wishing to Home School students wishing to

participate in the MME will test at participate in the MME will test at their local public high schooltheir local public high school

Local Public Schools – will need to Local Public Schools – will need to work with local home school work with local home school students wishing to take the MMEstudents wishing to take the MME


Non-Public School Non-Public School StudentsStudents Non-Public Schools are encouraged Non-Public Schools are encouraged

to participate in MMEto participate in MME

– Participation Model #1 – fully Participation Model #1 – fully participate in all facets of MME to participate in all facets of MME to support your students and support your students and establish your school as an MME establish your school as an MME test sitetest site


Non-Public School Non-Public School Students, continuedStudents, continued

– Participation Model #2Participation Model #2Students test at Auxiliary Students test at Auxiliary Test CenterTest Center

Accommodated students Accommodated students test at your schooltest at your school

No accommodations testing No accommodations testing at Auxiliary Test Centersat Auxiliary Test Centers


Non-Public School Non-Public School Students, continuedStudents, continued

– Complete the appropriate Complete the appropriate test site establishment and test site establishment and testing staff forms and testing staff forms and return to ACT by September return to ACT by September 1919




Fax: 734-334-1857Fax: 734-334-1857



Helping Students Helping Students Prepare Prepare for MMEfor MME

Assure that the high school’s Assure that the high school’s curriculum is aligned to state curriculum is aligned to state standards and the high school standards and the high school content expectationscontent expectations


Helping Students Helping Students Prepare for MMEPrepare for MME Assure that course content Assure that course content

matches course titlesmatches course titles


Helping Students Helping Students Prepare for MMEPrepare for MME Encourage students to enroll Encourage students to enroll

in rigorous college in rigorous college preparatory classes (or preparatory classes (or equivalent ones that address equivalent ones that address the same content with the the same content with the similar rigor)similar rigor)


Helping Students Helping Students PreparePreparefor MMEfor MME Have students participate in Have students participate in

reasonable ACT prep activitiesreasonable ACT prep activities– Use ACT or commercial Use ACT or commercial

products to practice taking a products to practice taking a timed testtimed test

– Become comfortable with the Become comfortable with the test formats test formats


Helping to PrepareHelping to Preparefor MMEfor MME Become familiar with Become familiar with

WorkKeys test formatsWorkKeys test formats– www.act.orgwww.act.org– michigan.gov/mmemichigan.gov/mme

http://www.act.org/


Focus on Focus on learninglearning the skills the skills defined in the high school defined in the high school standards and the High standards and the High School Content Expectations School Content Expectations rather than just practicing rather than just practicing test-taking skillstest-taking skills

Helping to PrepareHelping to Preparefor MMEfor MME


Getting Started NowGetting Started Now Review past MME reports/Student Review past MME reports/Student

Data FileData File– What percent of students take What percent of students take

recommended college core courses?recommended college core courses?– What is the performance of students What is the performance of students

taking college core versus those taking college core versus those who did not?who did not?

– What are the trends over time?What are the trends over time?


Getting Started Now, Getting Started Now, continuedcontinued What are the implications of MME What are the implications of MME

results?results?– For counselors - better course-taking For counselors - better course-taking

advice?advice?– For academic departments - For academic departments -

improved rigor of courses?improved rigor of courses?– For districts - More rigorous For districts - More rigorous

graduations requirements?graduations requirements?


Key ResourcesKey Resources

Today’s webcastToday’s webcast September 11, 2008 - Webcast September 11, 2008 - Webcast

on MME assessment on MME assessment accommodations accommodations ((http://www.mistreamnet.com, http://www.mistreamnet.com, click on 'Archived Stream’)click on 'Archived Stream’)


For Questions and For Questions and CommentsComments

For more information on For more information on MMEMME– www.michigan.gov/mmewww.michigan.gov/mme– (877) 560-8378(877) 560-8378– [email protected]@michigan.gov


For Questions and For Questions and CommentsComments For ACT and WorkKeys specific For ACT and WorkKeys specific

questionsquestions– ACT and WorkKeys State Testing ACT and WorkKeys State Testing

(800) 553-6244 x 2800(800) 553-6244 x 2800– ACT State Testing Accommodations ACT State Testing Accommodations

(800) 553-6244 x 1788(800) 553-6244 x 1788– [email protected]@act.org




Fax: 734-334-1857Fax: 734-334-1857
