State Board Plans To Raise MEAP 'Cut Off' Scores

LANSING (WWJ/AP) - The Michigan State Board of Education has approved a proposal that eventually would lead to tougher standards for passing some state standardized tests.

The proposal passed by a 7-1 vote Tuesday afternoon is expected to lead to raised "cut off'' scores for being graded as proficient on Michigan Educational Assessment Program tests taken by elementary, middle and high school students.

WWJ's Greg Bowman spoke with State Board of Education President John Austin who said the long term goal is to better prepare students for college.

"In the short-term, it will mean that just the basic score will be lower, to reflect that we've for a higher bar. It doesn't mean that our young people are learning less. It just means we're setting our targets higher," Austin said.

The new scores required to be considered proficient on MEAP tests aren't set by Tuesday's vote. The new standards likely will be set in late spring or early summer.

Democrat Marianne Yared McGuire was the only board member opposing the measure. The state board also is considering changes to the state's school accreditation process Tuesday. 
  
The Associated Press contributed to this report.