Despite some changes to the testing schedule and the addition of the third grade, results for MEAP show Clarkston schools remain consistently at or above state expectations and are highly placed in Oakland County.
Staci Puzio, district testing supervisor for Clarkston Schools, said comparing this year’s results to last year’s is difficult because of the adjustments made, which include additional testing for math in all grades, testing all grades in the fall and the addition of the third grade.
‘We’re always trying to look at how we’re doing,? said Puzio, who said she was satisfied with the results of the latest round of MEAP testing.
Puzio also said the state adjusts their expectations every year, which means test content can vary in the same grade from year-to-year. New content or shifting content from one grade to another makes direct comparisons difficult. However, Puzio did say despite the adjustments, the Clarkston School district does place high.
‘We consistently do well. We’re at or exceed the state and generally better than Oakland County,? Puzio said.
In order to work with the new testing schedule, Puzio said she met with teachers grades 2-8 to help make adjustments in the curriculum. Puzio said testing third graders in early fall gives students little time to learn new material, so teachers begin working with students near the end of second grade to prepare.
‘We don’t want a month and half in to be giving them a new test,? Puzio said. She added that the sudden change would be inappropriate, so instead the district works to achieve more natural progression between testing methods.
Puzio commented that the adjustments were integrated into the curriculum well and she does not foresee making any major changes before the next round of MEAP tests.
According to Anita Banach, director of communications and marketing, Puzio analyzes the test results and flags any areas that need improvement. The test results and any problem areas are referenced during teacher workshops and developmental days to see if any improvements can be made.