Benchmark Assessments

1. Benchmarks are still optional unless funding is being requested (although highly encouraged)
2. The $12.50 per student is gone. Now, the full amount ($11,500,000) will be split evenly (on a per student basis) among districts that apply for funding. This means the actual per student amount cannot be determined in advance of the closing of the Reporting and Funding Application in early December. MDE anticipates this change to the law will probably benefit requesting districts.
3. All references to ISDs have been removed from the law
4. Districts now must administer the same benchmark in the fall and spring rather than just make a pledge. This means MDE may be in a situation where they must retrieve funds that were already distributed if the spring requirement is not met.
5. The Reporting and Funding Application is being moved from GEMS/MARS to NexSys.
6. 98b is still repealed - there is no longer a requirement to set building level goals based on benchmark data, report the progress at board meetings or post data to district transparency webpage
7. Fall and spring windows have been defined:

• Fall Testing: Fall testing must occur in the first 9 weeks of the school year and must be completed no later than December 16, 2024
• Spring Testing: Spring testing must occur in the last marking period of the academic year and must be completed no later than June 13, 2024

Benchmarks Assessment - Requirements for Reimbursement

• Administer an approved vendor

• Administer to all students in grade K-8

• Measure proficiency in reading and mathematics

• Administer at least twice a year – first 9 weeks of school and before the end of the year in spring (fall and spring growth/reporting)

• Administer the same benchmark assessment fall and spring

• Provide results to parents within 30 days of both administration dates (fall and spring)

• Provide Benchmark Assessment data and Mode of Instruction data in the MI Data Hub within 30 days of both administration dates (fall and spring)

• Complete application in NexSys (no longer GEMS/MARS). More information to come from MDE regarding login information.

Application opens in NexSys under "My Opportunities": November 18 - December 16, 2024

Award amounts will be determined in January

Budgets will be submitted in January

Payment will be made in March State Aid payments

Even if not requesting funding, MDE requests districts to complete the application and select "NO" and identify which assessment is used for reporting purposes.

• I-ready
• NWEA
• STAR Renaissance Learning
• Smarter Balanced DRC (free to schools)

In order to receive reimbursement funds, schools must provide the benchmark data results and mode of instruction through MI Data Hub within the required timeline. Click on the chart below to access reporting tasks and due dates.

MDE/Data Hub Webinar Recording - 9/11/24

MDE/Data Hub Webinar Slidedeck - 9/11/24

Data Hub Trainings Page

Data Sharing NWEA MAP

Data Sharing Renaisance STAR

Data Sharing I-Ready

Data Sharing DRC

Mode of Instruction

Where do I go to get help with getting my data flowing through MiDataHub?

For assistance in establishing the necessary integrations and granting permissions to share data:

Send an email to support@midatahub.org or place a support ticket at www.miservicedesk.com

While MDE strongly encourages districts to continue to report benchmark assessment data, if your district does not plan to apply for funding for the administration of benchmark assessments then reporting in data hub is not required.

Benchmark Assessments are required for grades K-3 under Read by Grade Three law

The Read by Grade Three law, as outlined in an April 2019 MDE memo, requires that districts choose at least one initial and one extensive assessment from the MDE approved lists for K-3 students. Districts are welcome to use additional assessments not on the lists to create a comprehensive and balanced assessment system.

• Initial List
• Extensive List

Effective July , 2024, Public Act 224 of 2023 Section 1280f(2)(a) specifies the following timelines for assessment:

• The first of these assessments for a school year in kindergarten must be conducted within the first 90 school days of the school year
• The first of these assessments for a school year in grades 1 to 3 must be conducted within the first 30 school days of the school year

Read By Grade Three Guide MDE

Early Literacy - Read by Grade Three Law MDE Website