When a Test is not a Test? (When Accountability is the Question)

Michigan

   STATEWIDE

   More flexibility on testing OK’d

   The U.S. Department of Education has given its OK to allow Michigan students who fail state exams — but whose scores show significant improvement — to be counted as passing for state accountability purposes.

   The Michigan Department of Education requested the flexibility in the fall and heard back Jan. 2, according to information released Tuesday. The change means some schools could get a better rating when the state introduces a new color-coded accountability system this year.

   Assistant Education Secretary Deborah Delisle told Michigan officials, however, that the state would be expected to continue “to hold schools and school districts accountable for the achievement of all students.”

   MDE officials have said the change was needed to acknowledge the difficulty in bringing up students who are most behind. Students who take the MEAP test fall into one of four levels: advanced, proficient, partially proficient or not proficient. The first two are considered passing.

   The change allows students who score partially proficient or not proficient to be counted the same as students who passed if their scores indicate they are on track to becoming proficient within four years. The change affects accountability ratings only. Test scores won’t be affected.