For Monroe Public Schools students – and students throughout the state – the end of spring break means the beginning of the new Michigan Student Test of Education Progress (M-STEP), the standardized state progress test which takes the place of the former MEAP test. 

            Testing will be done in three separate, three-week phases by grade in Monroe Public Schools.  For instance, testing for students in grades 5 and 8 will start the week of April 13 – the week students return – and be concluded during the week of April 27.  Testing for students in grades 4 and 7 starts the week of April 27 and runs for three weeks, concluding the week of May 11.  For students in grades 3 and 6, they, too, have three weeks of testing.  That span starts the week of May 18 and concludes the week of June 1, the last full week of school.  

            “Our Monroe Public Schools students will take the M-STEP test on line,” said Mrs. Julie Everly, assistant superintendent, Elementary Education, Monroe Public Schools. “The M-STEP tests are not timed and students may work at their own pace, using a number of tools that are provided within the testing program.”

Each school has scheduled its own testing times within the testing windows for the particular grades.

            English language arts will be assessed in grades 3 through 8, science in grades 4 and 7 and social studies in grades 5 and 8.

            Mrs. Everly explained that it was critical that children be in school for the testing sessions and she asked parents, if possible, to refrain from scheduling any appointments for their children outside of school during the M-STEP sessions since it is very difficult to reschedule make-up testing.  She added that it is easier for students to perform better in their classroom testing environment. 

            Persons with questions about the test scheduling should contact either their child’s school or the district curriculum office at 265-3080.