M-STEP

Teaching the Michigan State Academic Standards is test prep for the M-STEP, but what else can we do to help our students be successful on our state assessments?

The TEXT-DEPENDENT ANALYSIS (essay) from the 2018 ELA M-STEP is now called PASSAGE-BASED WRITING on the 2019 ELA M-STEP.

The passage-based writing (PBW) has two components—a passage and a writing prompt. After reading the passage, the students are asked to write an essay with supporting evidence from the passage. PBW essays are scored on a 4-point holistic rubric. For the CAT, students will be presented with the passage and writing prompt near the beginning of the test.

• Passage-Based Writing (PBW) Rubric

• Passage-Based Writing (PBW) Essay Prompts

• Passage-Based Writing (PBW) Prompts & Student Essay Scores

Grade 3 WRITING:

• Informative/explanatory
  
• Aligned to Standards W2 and W8

Grades 4 – 7 WRITING:

• Informative/explanatory
• Aligned to standards W2, W4, W8, W9

For more information see MDE M-STEP-2019 Updates PowerPoint

What skills do our students need to be successful on M-STEP?

Are there any instructional shifts we need to make to help our students be successful?

To ensure students understand and are familiar with all the online tools available, it is recommended students participate in the ONLINE TOOLS TUTORIALS before taking M-STEP or Mi-Access.

The ONLINE TOOLS TUTORIALS are short videos that go over each tool and can be viewed individually or as a whole group. Viewing the M-STEP videos will take approximately 25 minutes, but for grades 7 & 8 there is an additional 13 minute scientific calculator video.

There is no separate policy regarding PBW responses and scratch paper. Scratch paper is allowed on the English language arts assessment. The M-STEP Scratch Paper Policy states:

• New scratch paper must be distributed at the start of each test.
  
• Used scratch paper is a secure material.
  
• All used scratch paper must be collected and returned immediately at the end of the test session to the Building Assessment Coordinator to be securely stored in a locked storage area.
  
• Any used scratch paper must have the student’s name clearly marked in order to return it to students for use in a later test session while completing the test.
  
• All used scratch paper must be securely destroyed after the student completes the test.
  

For more information on 18-19 Michigan State assessments, including testing dates, grade levels tested and estimated testing time, see Guide to State Assessments.

For any additional information go to MDE's Assessment & Accountability webpage.

The Essential Instructional Practices in Literacy and What Work Clearinghouse Practice Guides are research supported instructional practices that have been proved to have a positive impact on student achievement. Aligning our instructional practices to research and teaching the state standards will help our students be successful not only on our Michigan State Assessments, but also in their future lives.