M-Step

In June 2014, the Michigan Legislature required the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to develop a new test for spring 2015. MDE now announces the new assessment system called the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress, or M-STEP.

The M-STEP will include summative assessments designed to measure student growth effectively for today’s students. English language arts and mathematics will be assessed in grades 3–8, science in grades 4 and 7, 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.

 The MDE understands and respects the rights of parents to make all manner of choices regarding the education of their students. However, there is no official ability in state or federal law for parents to have their child 'opt out' of the assessments, without counting against their school and district’s participation rates.

MDE position on "Opt Out"