That time of the year

For anyone who graduated in Michigan before 1970 the MEAP test is something that they can remember. That certain week has fallen upon Renaissance Academy.

The MEAP Test is being administered for grades 3-8. All grades will take language arts and math and only the older grades taking science, social studies, and writing.

Historically Renaissance Charter school has been doing well with the Michigan standardized test. Right now principal David Krauss estimates the school is at about 75% proficiency.

“We’ve been good at this,” Krause said. “Out of 250 Charter Schools in Michigan we rank in the top 50.”

Krause also said that by 2014 Michigan hopes to have a 100% proficiency rating for the MEAP. By law each school must pass the state mark.

“There will never be 100% proficiency,” Krause said. “They’ll have to change the goal because there is no way any school can reach that goal.”

Right now the Michigan passing rate is 60%. This is a goal that is manageable.
If for some reason a school does not meet the Michigan standard for the amount of students that are proficient, the school has about three years which it can be below the standard.

“If a school does not pass three years in a row they usually fire the principal,” Krause said.

Krause is not a fan of the MEAP Test. He believes that it places too much emphasis on finance and this encourages cheating.

“I’m think the Stanford Test that we use is a far better test,” Krause said. It measures gains from the fall to the spring, and that’s a much better tool.”