“What, We have to take the test again?” Michigan Students Ask

“What, We have to spend hundred of thousands of dollars?” State Asks

There are lots of “unhappy campers” in fifth and sixth grade in Michigan where thousands of students must retake Michigan's standardized writing test after a community newspaper published two of the writing topics without realizing the implications. "The Department of Education had no choice but to make this extraordinary decision," said Department of Education spokesman Martin Ackley. "We have to maintain the integrity of the test, and we have to ensure fairness for every student in Michigan."

Jennifer Mrozowski writer for the The Detroit News in her article “MEAP Leak Forces Retest for Thousands of Students” of October 12, 2007, reported “State officials don't know how many of the more than 250,000 fifth- and sixth-graders in Michigan have already taken the test, but all will be given the new writing section.

Ackley said development and distribution of a new writing section could cost the state hundreds of thousands of dollars. But, the decision to retest students was made after the department learned a reporter was allowed into Jackson Public Schools during the administration of the test, a violation of Michigan's testing ethics.

"It's not like we were going to find out the answers," Brooke Nemens, 10, a sixth-grader at L'Anse Creuse Middle School -- North, said after she heard the news. "I don't even read the newspaper." Brooke, who took the test earlier this week, reported it was easy but she doesn't want to take it again.

Brenda Nemens, Brooke’s mother, said she would retake the test, "I think they should have to do that for the security of the answer," she said. "But they put way too much emphasis on the MEAPs. My kids get stressed out."

Dearborn Schools Superintendent John Artis said he “hopes the Jackson paper will consider paying for the costs of the "fiasco." Educators who would engage in a similar breach of security could have charges brought against them,” he said.

Ask Yourself:

• Does your school put “too much emphasis state testing?


• Do you think students in Michigan should loose another day of instruction for the mistake of a reporter?


• Should the paper pay for the cost of the “fiasco”?

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071012/SCHOOLS/710120406/1026