Extended Period for MEA Test Administration

INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO: 86
POLICY CODE: ILB

TO: Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, Curriculum Coordinators, Elementary and Middle School Principals, and Special Education Directors
FROM: Susan A. Gendron
DATE: February 25, 2008
RE: Extended Period for MEA Test Administration

Due to the number of weather-related school cancellations this winter, we are extending the MEA testing window one week. The new testing window will be the four weeks from March 3 to 28, 2008. Instructions regarding the return of testing materials on either March 26th or March 31st have been included in the MEA materials shipment due to arrive in your schools early this week.

This means that the deadline for review and updating of all MEDMS student data has now been extended to March 28th. Keep in mind that MEDMS data as of this date will be the official data of record for all 2007-08 MEA/PAAP assessment reports and AYP accountability determinations. No individual student coding corrections for MEA/PAAP or AYP reports will be accepted or made by MDOE after that date. Requests for other data adjustments will be handled on a case by case basis and will be granted only in exceptional circumstances.

To ensure accurate student enrollment, demographic, and program data in MEDMS, schools must verify that information by selecting “Download Data” from the MEDMS application menu and “Student Enrollments” from the action menu. Clicking “Submit” will offer the option to “Open” or “Save” the resulting spreadsheet. The spreadsheet will show enrolled and exited students.

The MEA Operational Procedures document, providing guidance on enrollment, participation, and administration issues, is now available online at http://www.maine.gov/education/mea/admininfo.htm . All students, including retained students, will be included in testing this year, as explained in this document. We encourage those of you who were unable to attend recent MEA test administration workshops to visit this website to view MEA-related materials.

There has been no change in the pick-up date for completed Personalized Alternate Assessment Portfolios (PAAP), the alternate assessment to the MEA. The PAAPs will be picked up at schools by UPS on March 27th as previously scheduled.

Please ensure that all pertinent staff receive this information, which supersedes deadline information contained in materials that have already been distributed. For more information, please contact Susan Smith, MEA Coordinator, at 624-6775/6770 or by email at susan.smith@maine.gov .