Frequently Asked Questions-Hart Middle

School M Step

Test Schedule
1.) Can you put the schedule in calendar
form instead of this list?
Now that youve had adequate time
to digest the format of the schedule
it may make more sense to you. I
dont think Ill be reformatting the
schedule, but Caitlin did and you
should have a copy of that.
2.) Can we run a short schedule on
certain days?
No. The times are blocked for grade
level activities and/or academics.
3.) What about our functional students?
Theyre taking the M Step with Kim
and Patti in the Media Center.
4.) Who covers a 6th grade teacher if
theyre out testing a 7th grade?

That should be listed in the schedule.

If you cannot find who is covering for
you let me know and I will help out.
5.) What does the schedule look like for
our Special Education Students?
Special Education students will be
testing in the Math Lab and the SSC.
Most all of our SE students require
small group so that is why they will
not be in GE classrooms during
testing sessions. For 6th Grade I was
able to fit our SE students back into
their 4th hour class when they are not
testing. This is not the case for 7th
and 8th. If grade level teams decide
to absorb our SE kids during the
grade level activities, just keep me
informed.
6.) Flip Days with UAIm still searching for someone to
cover UA teachers who have alternate
days for prep. I may not be able to

work this out, but will keep looking at

it.
7.) 7th graders in 8th grade classes-Will I
not see those students for a month?
If, for example, this question is about
lets say a 7th grader who is in
Algebra you will not see this student
for 7 class periods stretched over
three weeks.
8.) Where do we get our prep time when
were covered?
Where ever you can find a space that
wont disrupt testing or instruction.
9.) Are our prep hours the same
semester 1 as semester 2?
I dont know. I would imagine that
most of them are the same for both
semesters.
10.) Are we going to have time as a
grade level to discuss activities? Can

we have PD time to develop lessons

for our grade level?
Yes you will. Well try to provide as
much time as possible for this
collaborative work.
11.) What hours/days do we need to
prepare sub plans?
Once you know your own
personal schedule during M Step
I suggest you get with the
teacher(s) that are listed as
having to cover you. The two of
you can decide who teaches
class and who covers M Step.
Just keep me informed so that I
know who is where during the
actual test. Additionally, you are
being covered the FIRST HOUR of
test administration your
replacement MUST be trained on
M Step. Actually, everyone in
our building must be trained.
12.) Can we take needy kids out of our
classes and put with other teachers if

we have a class with a lot of needy

kids?
I wont be able to do this since there
is already too much movement of
students and faculty. 7th grade is
especially at max for the
student/computer ratio in nearly
every testing location. What I can do
is review the support schedule and
send extra adults to classrooms that
may need more than one adult to
assist students.
13.) Late arrival students?
Late arrival students will be sent to
the SSC to begin the test in there.
14.) What do we do if we have mixed
grades the same hour?
There are teachers assigned to cover
your classes so that the testing kids
can take their test. In other words,
during the 8th grade test youll only
have your 7th grade students. If

youre proctoring 8th grade then Ive

arranged for your 7th graders to be
reassigned during that time.
15.) Can we create visuals to help
students remember the tools?
No. What you can do is practice with
the tools before the test. The MDE
recommends using the practice tests
a few times before the test and
actually letting the students try out
all the tools. You should have them
practice with the tools on a practice
test that is below their grade level so
that the focus is on the tools. Then,
when you want to practice actual test
items go into the correct grade level
practice test.

Test Content
1.) Is there a replacement test for the
Mi-Access? MEAP Access?
Students either take the M Step or

the M Step Access. Whereas their

used to be three choices of test levels
if you will, now there are only two.
2.) If the students use incorrect spelling
will it be marked wrong?
Not in mathematics. In ELA it is a
piece of the rubric, but it is not
necessarily as if the response will be
marked wrong the way we typically
think of that.
2.) Does the math, science and social
studies test include audio?
There will be an audio function that I
have to turn on for some students for
mathematics. As far and science and
social studies, were still waiting for a
definitive answer from the MDE.
4.)

Will the type of questions be

grouped together? Multiple choice,
graphs, etc.

This information is not being

released.
5.)

Will resource teachers present

classroom activities for special
education students?

All students will be doing their

classroom activity with their
ELA and Mathematics teachers.
Even if you are not proctoring a
testing session you may still be
doing a classroom activity
(Jacobson, for example).
6.)

How are constructed response and

essay questions being graded?

Rubrics have been released and can

be found on the MDE. If you
have trouble finding them, let
me know. I can also post them
to our building M Step folder
on the common drive.
7.)

Can our students use paper and

pencil instead of sticky notes?

Yes they can use paper and pencil.

Be mindful of the time
limitations if you select to let
your students do this. All
paper that is written upon
during the test must be handed
in to me to be shredded.
Test Administration
1.) Does the test include extended
time?
Students must finish the test the
same day that they begin. The
information that has been released
from the MDE says that the test is not
timed.
2.)

Where is the HUB? C7 and B9

2.) What do we do if the computers

malfunction?
If that happens you can call either
myself or the Media Center. 4505 and
4504.

3.) Can parents opt out?

No. There is no opt-out option for the
M Step despite the public push and
various things that you have heard
and seen. All questions from parents
about opting out should be directed
to Allison.
4.) Tech readiness? Have we tested this
out?
Our district has been working on this
piece in order to get our building
ready for the M Step. The MDE has
assured us that the tech portion will
work.
5.) Can the students have the
practice links?
Yes, yes, yes. Give them out like
candy. Whoops, not like candy but
you know what I mean.
6.) If you start a session do you have to
finish in that session?

Yes, but if your time in the testing

location is up and you have students
who are not finished you need to call
me.
7.) Will we be allowed to scribe for
students who have that
accommodation in their IEP?
Yes, but Im not certain this will be
necessary since all answers need to
be put into the keyboard in order to
register as answers.