Parent Resources

• Parent Resources/Parent Connect Login

M-STEP

• Parent/Student: M-STEP Video 

• Parent Guide to State Assessments in Michigan

• What Parents Should Know About Assessments – includes valuable resources

• Online Practice for M-STEP ELA, Math, Science and Social Studies

• M-STEP – How to Read Your Child’s Score Report for Grades 3-8

• MME – How to Read Your Child’s Score Report for Grade 11

NWEA

• Parents Guide to Map Growth

• NWEA Parent Toolkit

• Khan Academy Practice Exercises 

PSAT and SAT

• Understanding PSAT/SAT Results

• How to Read Your Child’s Score Report for Grades 3-8

• PSAT Daily Practice

• SAT Daily Practice 

• Sample Questions for PSAT and SAT

• SAT Free Practice and Personalized Study

At Khan Academy, you can access thousands of questions approved by College Board, take four official SAT practice tests, and create personalized study plans based on your results.

State Testing Requirements

The participation in state assessments is required by the Michigan Department of Education. The following is a statement from the that can be found in this communication from the Department of Education:

“The MDE understands and respects the rights of parents to make all manner of choices regarding the education of their students. However, there is no official ability in state or federal law for parents to have their child ‘opt out’ of the assessments, without counting against their school and district’s participation rates. Please also remember that any student in a Michigan public school is being taught Michigan content standards, and this is simply an opportunity to understand their progress in learning those standards.”

In addition, State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice reaffirmed the state’s position regarding assessment participation for all students in this letter: Michigan Department of Education Memo

Additional Resources for Parents

Middle School Parent Resources

• Information on topics relevant to parents of middle schoolers, including adolescent brain development, online safety, encouraging positive body image, bullying and more.
• 10 Tips on how to stay involved in your middle school child’s education.

Resources for Parents in Elementary School and Earlier

Story Blocks – Literacy Development

• Collection of 30-60 second videos for parents, caregivers, and library staff designed to model songs, rhymes, and finger-plays appropriate for early childhood. Each video clip includes tips to increase caregivers’ understanding of child development and pre-literacy needs. 
• Reading tip sheets, available in multiple languages, for parents of babies, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, first graders, second graders, and third graders.
• Teaching kids to read and helping those who struggle.