During the 2014-15 school year, Michigan rolled out a new assessment program called M-STEP (Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress). The Spring 2016 M-STEP is a 21st Century test given primarily online each spring and is designed to gauge how well students are mastering state standards. These standards, developed for educators by educators, broadly outline what students should know and be able to do, by subject and grade level —and ultimately how ready they are to enter the workplace, career education training and college.

M-STEP is a summative assessment and is administered to students in the following grades and subjects: English language arts and mathematics will be assessed in grades 3–8; science in grades 4, 7 and 11; and social studies in grades 5, 8 and 11.

The Michigan Merit Examination (MME) is the general assessment for students in grade 11. The MME includes: A free SAT with Essay which will serve as both a college entrance exam and the M-STEP English language arts and mathematics assessments; M-STEP science and M-STEP social studies components; and, the ACT WorkKeys.

This year, we have made several enhancements to M-STEP. Click here to read more.

M-STEP provides an important snapshot of student progress at a state, district, and building level. M-STEP results when combined with classroom work, report cards, local district assessments and other tools, offer a comprehensive view of student progress and achievement. For additional general information including upcoming M-STEP test schedule click M-STEP: What it is, What it means - And What it Offers.

The following are resources provided by the MDE for parents.

Parent/Student Information

• Parent Guide to State Assessments in Michigan - National PTA 

• M-STEP 2016 Parent Letter

• M-STEP Parent Report Video

  • Video explains the report and how to interpret student results

• M-STEP: What it is, What it means - And What it Offers