Information about Standardized Testing
at St. Mary School

St. Mary School uses several objective measures of achievement. Results of the standardized assessments are used to identify strengths and needs for individual academic and career planning, and to provide information for curriculum improvement.

The primary objective assessment program is coordinated by the Diocese of Gaylord, using the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) in grades 2-10. This is a computerized program published by the Northwest Evaluation Association which was adopted by the Diocese in 2004 and is administered in the fall and spring of each year. It provides measures of growth in reading, language arts, math, and science. Our teachers are using the results to identify individual areas of strengths and weaknesses. As the school continues to use this program, we are also able to utilize results of these tests as one measure of the effectiveness of our curriculum and as a tool to customize instruction.

Other objective measurements include the PLAN test at tenth grade, the Michigan Merit Exam in eleventh grade (click here for a three year comparison of Leelanau County school MME results), and college entrance tests. Students may also participate in the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test) and the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. The PLAN and the ASVAB also provide career interest inventories, which help students decide what career path to pursue.

In the spring of 8th grade, the EXPLORE program is administered, to provide students with a first experience in career path discernment and in objective testing for college placement. All diocesan schools use the NWEA, the EXPLORE, the PLAN, and the ACT as tools in guiding school improvement.

The school also utilizes the ACRE (Assessment of Catechesis Religion Education) testing program. This assessment can be administered at fifth, eighth, and and eleventh/twelfth grades, and is used to evaluate and improve the religion curriculum.

ACT scores for our college-bound students in recent years have placed close to the national average of 21, the scores being 20.5-23 for the classes as a whole over the last five years. The Michigan Competitive Scholarship Program uses the ACT results as the award criterion; from one-fourth to one-half of our graduates qualify for this award. In the class of 2008, twelve students qualified for this scholarship.

Students who may require diagnostic testing to identify specific learning needs can be referred to the intermediate school district special education team for individual evaluation and recommendations.