• Talk to your child about when the tests will be given, what types of tests they are, and what the teacher has said about them.
• Let your child know that the tests are important.  Encourage your child to try her/his best so the results will reflect your child’s learning as accurately as possible.
• Cramming for the MEAP is not a good idea.  These tests cover what has been learned over time; last minute studying will not help much, if any.
• Encouraging your child to keep up with class work is, and will be, the best preparation for any test s/he will take.
• Read with your child and encourage her/him to read a variety of materials.

• You can help your child do well on test days by encouraging her/him to relax and to feel positive about testing.
• A good night’s sleep and a good breakfast always help performance.
• Be sure your child is at school on time.
• When your child returns home, ask about the testing and how s/he thought everything went.

• Ask your child’s teacher, principal, or counselor to review the test results with  you.
• Discuss the scores with your child.  Point out areas where your child has demonstrated strength and areas where s/he may need help.
• Attend parent teacher conferences.

Call us! Mrs. Maconochie, Mr. Mashhour, Mrs. Theisen, or Mrs. Miller can answer your questions. 313-827-4600

Our partnership with you in the education of your child is important.  We hope you find this information useful and that the MEAP testing sessions will prove to be positive experiences for your child

For ideas and help with learning activities, attend our PASSport classes the first Monday of each month; visit your child’s school; look up our school web site at http://students.resa.net/stout/  or our district web site at http://www.dearbornschools.org/home.ht

MEAP is a statewide testing program initiated by the State Board of Education and funded by the legislature.

MEAP consists of a set of tests that assess reading, mathematics, writing, science, and social studies.  The tests reflect the Michigan Curriculum Framework and Benchmarks in these five content areas

English Language Arts tests will be administered to 6, 7, and 8th grade students. The tests are designed to assess reading, writing, listening and evaluation skills.  Students will be required to write to a prompt related to a theme; read two selections related to the theme, and then answer multiple choice questions, answer cross text questions from the two reading selections, produce a written response to a direct question connecting the two selections to the theme.  The students will then be asked to listen to a story, take notes and answer ten multiple choice questions.  Finally they will be asked to read a selection written by a student and evaluate the piece based on what they have learned about quality writing.

Social Studies tests are designed to measure knowledge and skills in relation to six or seven areas in the state social studies framework and benchmarks.  Students respond to three item types.  Selected response in which students read a passage, map, chart, or table then respond to a series of multiple choice questions.  Constructed response requires students to explain a conclusion, provide examples, complete a chart, interpret information, or give a reason for their answer.  Extended response requires the students to write a more detailed answer which include interpretations of data from an imaginary policy issue, identify a relationship presented in the data section, take a position for or against a policy and give reasons for supporting the position taken.

Math tests are designed to assess mathematics knowledge necessary to live and work in a technological society.  These tests have a strong focus on mathematical problem solving and higher order thinking skills.  Students respond to some multiple choice and open-ended questions

Science tests cover physical, earth, and life sciences.  Students respond to three item types.  Cluster problems on which students read a scenario based in a real world context and then respond to a series of multiple choice and open-ended questions. Text critique requires students to read a short science passage from the popular press (newspaper or magazine) and then respond to a series of questions about the passage through multiple choice and open-ended questions.  Students read about an investigation and then respond to independent multiple choice items and a constructed response item that relate to the investigation.

MEAP results from fall testing should be returned by Winter of 2006.   Teachers, counselors, or the principal will be happy to go over the results with you.

At the student level, perhaps most important to you and your child, your child’s teachers use the results to identify strengths and learning needs, and to work with you to plan ways to meet those needs.

At the school level, MEAP results are used to identify curricular and/or instructional changes that may need to be made to better serve students.

At the district level, MEAP results are compared to statewide performance standards as a means to assess district strengths and weaknesses.

At the community level, MEAP results are one piece of information about Dearborn schools and the school system that is reported to and discussed with parent and community groups.

At the state level, the Education Yes! Report, and the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act use MEAP results to assess whether our schools, teachers, and every child is succeeding by making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)