ready set... test

In Michigan our AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) status at the high school level is determined partially by testing that occurs each March. All Juniors take the ACT, ACT Work Keys, and the Michigan Merit Exam. Our students performance on these test is one of several factors that determine AYP. Last year my school improved our math and reading scores and we're hoping for an even larger increase this year. The students that are testing this year are the first group to use the Carnegie Curriculum for Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2. Everyone is anxious to see how our students perform.

Next week our school will be on midwinter break. When they return students will be testing. Our school came really close to meeting our testing goals last year and are really confident that this year we will meet our goals. However, next year might be a different story. The state of Michigan recently decided to raise the bar for students to receive a "passing score" on these exams. Next year it will be even harder for students to pass these high stakes test. This means that our school and our students (along with every other school in Michigan) will have to work even harder to meet the goals set by our state. This has caused some anxiety amongst our teachers who are already anxious about this year's scores.

For now all we can do is wait and see how this years scores turn out.