January 9, 2024

Standardized Testing

As noted in other communications this school year, one of our school improvement goals is improving students’ attitudes toward testing and another is to increase achievement. Most people do not like to take tests, but everybody has to do it at some point in their lives. Students at Burr Oak Community Schools will continue to do test prep every week in an effort to reach the goals and become comfortable with taking assessments.

The NWEA MAP Growth assessment is given to students three times per year (September, January, and May). MAP stands for Measures of Academic Progress and is focused on assessing student growth. Students in grades K-11 take this test and the results help teachers better understand individual student needs in English language arts and math; as well, the school improvement team looks at the collective data to help make decisions regarding classroom routines and curriculum.

In addition to the NWEA benchmark test, the Michigan Department of Education requires students in grades 3-11 to take the following assessments beginning in April.

M-STEP Online grades 3 (mathematics only), 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11

M-STEP Grade 3 (ELA only)

MI-Access Alternate Assessments

College Entrance: SAT w/Essay

Work Skills: ACT WorkKeys

PSAT 8/9 (Grade 8)

PSAT 8/9 (Grade 9)

PSAT 10 (Grade 10)

For a visual calendar of state assessments go to: Spring 2024 Testing Schedule for Summative Assessments - Michigan or scan the QR code below.