Challenges and Opportunities: Putting the Puzzle Together The Michigan Merit Exam: Looking at Mathematics Fall 2006

Purpose Provide a clear understanding of the Math components of the new Michigan Merit Exam Provide an opportunity to discuss sample assessments Provide an opportunity to discuss implications of the MME on classroom assessment and instructional practices

Planning for the MME a note from Ed Roeber - OEAA The state will administer the full MME for the first time in Spring 2007 to all juniors.

Planning for the MME a note from Ed Roeber - OEAA The state will administer the ACT on one common day statewide, followed the next day by the administration of the WorkKeys and Michigan Mathematics assessments. Then, school districts will administer the Michigan Science and Social Studies on the one day selected by the school district from the next five week-days. Make-up testing will be scheduled exactly two weeks later.

Planning for the MME a note from Ed Roeber - OEAA Students who wish to re-test may do so in October or again in the spring of their senior year. One re-test will be paid for by the state. MME scores will be used by the state for school accountability purposes, and most students will also receive ACT and WorkKeys scores that they can use to apply to college, to qualify for work training, or to obtain a job.

Planning for the MME a note from Ed Roeber - OEAA The best ways to prepare for both the MEAP and the MME are to make sure your high school curriculum covers the state defined content and encourage students to take rigorous high school courses and study hard.

Michigan Merit Exam Test All Grade 11 Spring 2007 ACT plus ACT Writing WorkKeys and Michigan Math Michigan Science and Michigan Social Studies

Test Subject Session Components Contributing to MME Score ELAReadingWritingMathScience Social Studies ACT plus ACT Writing English XX Math X Reading XX Science XX Writing XX WorkKeys Reading For Information XX Applied Math X Michigan Math X Michigan Science X Social Studies XXX

MME Mathematics Score Components ACT Mathematics WorkKeys Applied Mathematics Selected ACT Science Items Michigan Developed Items

ACT – Mathematics Requires knowledge of basic formulas and computation skills. Requires students to use reasoning skills to solve practical problems in mathematics. Tests students’ abilities to transfer quantitative reasoning and problem solving skills from one context to another.

ACT – Mathematics Knowledge and skills: solve problems that are presented in purely mathematical terms. Direct application: solve straightforward problems set in real-world situations. Understanding concepts: reasoning from a concept to reach an inference or a conclusion. Integrating conceptual understanding: achieve an integrated understanding of two or more major concepts to solve non-routine problems.

ACT – Mathematics (60 MC items) Content Area Number of Items Pre-Algebra14 Elementary Algebra10 Intermediate Algebra9 Coordinate Geometry9 Plane Geometry14 Trigonometry4

Math Components (cont.) Selected ACT Science Items (MC) Michigan Developed Math Items (13 MC)  Currently based on MCF  Starting in the Spring 2008 based on HSCE

Things to Keep in Mind – MME For students…  Timed test  ACT college-reportable score  Obtain information about skills needed for a job, technical training or college success

WorkKeys ® Information WorkKeys Applied Mathematics  MC – 33 Items – 45 Minutes WorkKeys Reading for Information  MC – 33 Items – 45 Minutes

WorkKeys Information What is WorkKeys?  WorkKeys is a job skills assessment system measuring “real world” skills that employers believe are critical to job success.  WorkKeys predicts career/workplace success  WorkKeys connects learning to career success. Educators and workforce developers use it to translate a vague statement like "we need more math" into a precise set of teachable skills really used in a workplace.

WorkKeys Information Applied Mathematics  Applied Math is the skill people use when they use mathematical reasoning and problem-solving techniques to solve work-related problems.  Employees may use calculators and conversion tables to help with the problems, but they still need to use math skills to think them through.

Comparison ACT – WorkKeys - HSCE

Take the Tests … ACT & WorkKeys

Debrief As I went through the ACT/WorkKeys subtests, what surprised me was… As I took this test from a student’s perspective, the strategies I used were… Now that I have “taken” the ACT/WorkKeys, these are some of the implications I see for instruction in my classroom… Now that I have “taken” the ACT/WorkKeys, these are some of the implications I see for assessment in my classroom…

This powerpoint was adapted from work by the following individuals: Denise Brady, Shiawassee RESD Theron Blakeslee, Ingham ISD Nancy Fahner, Ingham ISD Cindy Leyrer, Ingham ISD Sue Stephens, Shiawassee RESD Kelly Trout, Ingham ISD