All current MEAP (Michigan Educational Assessment Program) tests are based upon the Michigan Content Standards and benchmarks within the Michigan Curriculum Framework (1995). These tests are designed to evaluate grade clusters, not specific grades. The upcoming 2005-2006 test will be based upon the overlap between the content standards and the new “second tier” of the content standards: grade level content expectations (GLCE) specific to grades K-8. Currently, the state’s math test is given only in the 4th and 8th grades, ELA is given only in the 4th and 7th grades, and science and social studies are only given in the 5th and 8th grades.

The Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) High School Test (HST) will continue to be offered this school year (2004-2005) and next school year (2005-2006). This means that tenth, eleventh, and twelfth graders will continue to be assessed with MEAP and that the scores will be used for dual enrollment, accountability (NCLB and Education YES!), and Merit Award placement for two more years.

Merit’s Language Arts and math software programs correlate to the Michigan Content Standards and can help students prepare for the MEAP tests. The content and format of Merit’s programs can help students develop and strengthen their test-taking skills as well as their reading, writing and math skills.

Merit reading software has been proven -- through rigorous, scientifically based research -- to increase both student reading comprehension and standardized test scores. Merit research study findings reveal that education software is an effective tool to improve test scores and academic performance.

Published: January 2005