social studies

Last spring MASSP members were asked, "If you were King/Queen for a day, what would you do with the MME and MEAP?" This information was shared with Senators Swialski and Jelinek. They must have been impressed by what they learned. There is a significant section in the Senate version of the School Aid Act dealing with assessment.

MASSP members took action last week explaining to legislators why EXPLORE is important for all students entering high school. Their work was successful!

The Senate embraced member support with the following in the Senate version of HB 4447:

"MEAP and Merit Exam Changes. The Senate added language prohibiting exam funding to be spent on an expanded social studies exam, pattern scoring, or any assessments developed by the Department for the purposes of Sections 1278a and 1278b of the Revised School Code. Intent language also was added that the Department replace its current MEAP for grades 3-8 with the Iowa Test or a similar exam, and the allocation was included for the "Explore" exam in grades 8 or 9. (Sec. 104 and 104b))"

MASSP members clearly support an early warning system.

It is necessary for high schools to know that students are prepared to tackle high school curriculum when they walk through the doors. Or, if a student isn’t ready, where is he/she in need of intervention? And in what classes should he/she be placed for maximum benefit? Parents and children deserve information that shows whether or not a child’s dreams and aspirations match his/her skill level. Today, 60% of our students have this information when they arrive on the doorstep of high school. However, every Michigan student deserves this data.

Principals need to take action! We must fight to get this critical resource available for ALL!

MASSP is in the doghouse with the Department of Education. Two reasons: Trying to shift the money spent on the 9th grade social studies exam to EXPLORE, and our public statement about the proposed MI-SAS accreditation program.

When polled, 97% of our membership doesn’t see value in the 9th grade social studies exam. Our governor in her state-of-the-state speech called on us to find ways to reduce wasted state costs without hurting its citizens. So we proposed legislation to shift this money to something 60% of schools do value. We feel it is a matter of equality.

Mid-January District's were sent a memo from the Treasury Department regarding a new requirement to earn MI Promise Scholarships. To see and and read the details which I'm talking about just do a site search - social studies. The memo and law will be before you.

Well, there was an oops. The Public Act also requires three credits in Social Studies to be eligible to receive the scholarship. Well, if a student "opted-up" in the personal curriculum they won't have three credits.

We've been in contact with Legislative Offices. They are aware of the problems. I'm confident a technical bill will be done to make the correction... in time.

by Beata Mostafavi | The Flint Journal
Monday January 26, 2009, 3:00 PM
John Gleason

FLINT, Michigan -- Flint Central High School senior Tiara Osborn has never been much of a math person, but social studies is her favorite subject.

And when Tiara, 17, takes the Michigan Merit exam in March, how she fares on the social sciences section will now count towards a scholarship to her desired college, Michigan State University.

State Sen. John Gleason, D- Flushing, authored legislation that is now law and adds social studies to the academic requirements for the Michigan Promise scholarship, which awards high school graduates up to $4,000.

From: MME [mailto:MME@michigan.gov]
Sent: Thu 1/15/2009 9:37 AM
Subject: New Social Studies Requirement for Michigan Promise Scholarship
Pursuant to Public Act 517 of 2008... In addition to all other eligibility requirements, a student who takes the Michigan Merit Exam (MME) in 2009 or after must now also achieve an MME score of Level 1 or 2 in Social Studies to become eligible for installment payments of the Michigan Promise scholarship.

If you have questions about this new requirement, please contact the Michigan Department of Treasury which is solely responsible for administering the Michigan Promise scholarship (call 888-447-2687 toll-free).

Bob Nelson
Michigan Department of Education
Office of Educational Assessment and Accountability

Public Act 517 of 2008