1216 St. Clair Blvd. Algonac, MI 48001 (P) 810-794-9364 (F) 810-794-0040 |
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Superintendent of Schools
Dear Residents:
The Michigan Department of Education has changed the way MEAP tests will be scored by adopting new cut scores. This change will affect individual student scores and our district scores as well. These new cut scores are based on a college readiness standard. The Algonac Community Schools embraces this worthy goal of preparing all students to be ready for college and a future career in a global economy. Michigan is only one of three states in the nation to move to this rigorous level of testing.
Like school districts across the state, Algonac Community Schools’ scores are expected to decline when publically released this spring. While we anticipate an initial drop in the number of students reported as “proficient”, we are confident this change will be temporary due to ongoing school improvement efforts and student support programs. If a student is reported “not proficient” it does not mean that he or she is not growing academically or gaining knowledge that is expected for his or her grade level. Many students may require additional instruction and help in order to master these new standards.
The MEAP/MME is only one of several measures used in our school district to measure student progress and adjust curriculum and instruction. Our instructional staff is implementing new strategies such as before-school instruction, newly designed summer instruction, curriculum adjustments, and adding new academic programs. All of our instructional and curriculum techniques are being driven by student achievement data.
You can find a video link explaining the new cut scores at: http://www.mistreamnet.com/vidflv.php?who=resa121611
We will continue to keep parents and residents up to date through our newsletters, email, district website, parent-teacher communications and more.
Michael E. Sharrow
Superintendent of Schools