OJ DeJonge Assessment Information

Spring 2023 Assessment Information

 

Testing Schedule:

April 12 - 8th grade students will take the PSAT 8; 1/2 day for all 6-12 students

April 25 and 26 - 6/7 grades will take the ELA M-STEP and 8th grade students will take the science M-STEP

May 2 and 3 - 6/7 grades will take the math M-STEP and 8th grade student will take the social studies M-STEP 

Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP)

The Michigan Department of Education has developed new summative assessments that are standardized tests students take in the spring.  The M-STEP tests are designed to measure student growth over the course of the school year.   English language arts and mathematics are assessed in grades 3–8, science in grades 5 and 8, and social studies in grades 5 and 8.  It also includes the Michigan Merit Examination in 11th grade, which consists of a college entrance exam, work skills assessment, and M-STEP summative assessments in English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. 

These tests measure higher order thinking as well as "depth of knowledge."  Essentially, they are rigorous tests designed to assess a student's ability to analyze, synthesize, evaluate and apply multiple sources of texts and other data.  We work hard to help our students be successful on these assessments, in learning the knowledge and skills to do well on the items themselves, as well as acquiring the test-taking strategies they will need to successfully navigate the M-Step battery of tests, which are all on-line.

Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) Measures of Academic Progress Assessment

We assess our students in math and reading at different points in the year using NWEA tests that thousands of students across the country take each year.  These "Measures of Academic Progress" (MAP) tests assess our students in relation to their grade-level group peers across the United States and allow us to get a read on what specific content and skills need honing.  Students typically take each test in less than an hour.  These are on-line, adaptive skills tests, which means the questions change depending on how well a student is doing on the assessment.  The adaptive skills nature of the test allows us to get an accurate measure of the specific content and skills already mastered, what the student is on the verge of learning and what will need to be taught later.  We gave the test for the first time in the 2014-15  school year, and will use information gleaned from the fall administration of the test in 2015-16 to help each student set learning goals in math and reading for the year.  Teachers will use class results to inform their classroom instruction.  We also use NWEA results as one data point in determining what students will need what type of intervention that we provide, whether it be reading support, Math Lab, Extended Day Math Help, or academic mentoring.   

Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT 8-9)

Students in 8th grade will take the PSAT 8-9 in the month of April. This nationally normed assessment provides students and staff with information regarding students' college readiness in mathematics and language arts. The PSAT 8-9 is developed by the College Board and follows the same format as the SAT, which students will take during the spring of their 11th grade year. This assessment also provides students educational resources tailored to their individual skill levels.