Dear Ann Arbor Public School Parent/Guardian,
Your student will be taking the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) test from October 8th – 25th. Students in grades 3-8 will take a two-part Reading test and a Mathematics test; students in grades 4 and 7 will also take a two-part Writing test; students in grades 5 and 8 will also take a Science test, and students in grades 6 and 9 will also take a Social Studies test. The state has scheduled specific dates for each subject area test as follows:
Reading Day 1 for grades 3, 4, 5 will be on Tuesday, October 8.
Reading Day 2 for grades 3, 4, 5 will be on Wednesday, October 9.
Writing Day 1 for grade 4 will be on Thursday, October 10.
Mathematics for grades 3, 4, 5 will be on Tuesday, October 15.
Writing Day 2 for grade 4 will be on Wednesday, October 16.
Science for grade 5 will be on Wednesday, October 16.
All students in these grades should take the tests. We are required by the State of Michigan to give the test to all students, and individual schools are held accountable for full participation of their students. If you have concerns about a child with a disability or with limited English proficiency taking the test, please contact me to discuss available accommodations.
Based on the state Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCE), these tests reflect the knowledge and skills that will be important for students in today's world. Because the test is being given in the fall, it covers content in previous grades; for example, 3rd graders will be tested on content through the end of 2nd grade. These tests along with other assessments and instructional performance indicators will help to identify those skills your child has learned and which skills may need strengthening.
The Ann Arbor Public School district uses these results to help us improve the school curriculum and work with individual students. In addition, the MEAP is used as the primary measure for state and federal accountability requirements. Additional information about the MEAP is available on the state website: www.michigan.gov/meap
You can help your child do his/her best on the MEAP test by following these suggestions:
1) make sure that your child gets a good night's sleep before testing;
2) remind your child to ask the teacher questions if she/he does not understand the test directions;
3) let your child know that you are confident in his/her ability to do his/her best.
If circumstances require that your child will miss the regularly scheduled testing day, accommodations will be made for your child to take the test on one of the makeup days.
Please feel free to contact your child’s teacher if you would like additional information.
Sincerely,
Kevin Karr
Principal
