MI-Access is Michigan's alternate assessment system and is designed for students who have, or function as if they have, significant cognitive impairments, and whose IEP (Individualized Education Program) Team has determined that General Assessments, even with accommodations, are not appropriate. MI-Access satisfies the federal requirement that all students with disabilities be assessed at the state level.
MI-Access is based on Michigan's alternate content expectations for English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies.
IEP teams must follow the guidelines for participation in MI-Access. When any level of MI-Access is selected as the state level assessment for any student, schools must provide the parents/guardians of that student: 1) information regarding the academic achievement standards on which their performance will be measured, and 2) how participation in this assessment may delay or otherwise affect (or prevent) the student from completing the requirements for a regular high school diploma.
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What's New
- Summative Assessment Flexibilities, Spring 2021
- Summative Assessments Frequently Asked Questions, Spring 2021
- Focus on Administration Video and Presentation
- Focus on Administration PowerPoint (updated 4/1/21)
- Focus on Administration Video
- MI-Access P/SI Test Administration Manual (updated 4/13/21)
- Michigan Receives Federal Waiver to School Accountability Requirements for 2020-2021
The federal requirements for school accountability in Michigan have been waived for the 2020-21 school year due to the disruption of instruction caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Michigan Denied Request to Waive Federal Requirement to Administer State Summative Assessments in Spring 2021
The federal requirement to administer state summative asssessments in Michigan for Spring 2021 have not been waived despite the disruption of instruction caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Spring 2021 COVID-19 Communications for Assessments
Current Assessment Administration
- Summative Assessment Flexibilities, Spring 2021
- Summative Assessments Frequently Asked Questions, Spring 2021
- Focus on Administration Video and Presentation
- Focus on Administration PowerPoint (updated 4/1/21)
- Focus on Administration Video
- MI-Access P/SI Test Administration Manual (updated 4/13/21)
- List of Important Dates
Excel, pdf, Google Calendars
- MI-Access FI Test Administration Manual, Spring 2021 (Revised 4/13/21)
- Safe Testing Planning Guide
- Safe Testing Planning Template
- Accountability Data Reporting Best Practices
Data reporting guide for trouble-free accountability; updated 11/16/2020.
- Instructions for Materials Return with Diagram
- Scoring Documents for Participation and Supported Independence, Spring 2021
- Functional Independence Audio CD Track List, Spring 2021
- Guide to State Assessments 2020-2021 (Updated 4/12/21)
- Assessment Integrity Guide
- Participation and Supported Independence Assessment Administration Flow Chart (Updated 3/22/21)
- Functional Independence Assessment Administration Flow Chart (updated 3/22/21)
- Guidelines for Participation in MI-Access
- MDE-Approved INSIGHT Tools Poster
- P/SI Online Answer Document Instructions for Score Entry Instructions (Updated 3/22/21)
- Security Compliance Form
- DRC INSIGHT Portal (formerly eDIRECT)
- Who Must/Can take the MME (Including MI-Access Students)
Functional Independence
- MI-Access FI Expressing Ideas Scoring Guide, 2019
- Michigan's Alternate Content Expectations for English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science
- MI-Access Functional Independence Released Item Booklets
- Michigan's Alternate Content Expectations for Social Studies and Science
- Science Assessment Plan
- MI-Access Functional Independence Assessment Plan
- MI-Access Artwork
- MI-Access FI Expressing Ideas Scoring Guides Archive (2017-2018)
Reporting
- Interpretive Guide to MI-Access Preliminary Reports (Updated 4/6/21)
- Student Growth in School Accountability
- Public Reports and Data Files for State Assessments
- MiLearn Student Assessment Score Reporting Site Educator User Guide
- Interpretive Guide to Reports, Spring 2019
- Dynamic Score Reporting Site User Guide (Updated 4/7/21)
- Interpretive Guide to MI-Access Reports, Spring 2018
- Performance Levels and Score Ranges - 2019
- Reporting Archive
Assessment Training and Resources for Educators
- Focus on Administration Video and Presentation
- Focus on Administration PowerPoint (updated 4/1/21)
- Focus on Administration Video
- District and Building Coordinator MI-ACCESS Training for Online Assessment
- Supported Independence and Participation Scoring Rubric Training
Access at the Michigan Virtual Learning Platform and enter “MI-Access” in the search box, and select “Training: Participation and Scoring Administration.”
- Test Coordinator Resources
- List of Important Dates, Test Administration Manuals, Student Support and Accommodations, Assessment Security and more Resouces for all State Assessments on one page.
- Assessment Security Training Information
- MI-Access Test Administration Training Video
- Assessment Selection Guidelines Training
- Assessment Selection Interactive Decision-Making Tool
- Assessment Coordinator Training Guide
- Michigan's Alternate Content Expectations for English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science
- Student Supports and Accommodations Webinar Links & PowerPoints
- MI-Access FI Online Tools Training
- Assessment Committee Participation Application
- Secure Site Training Documentation
- Essential Elements with Michigan Range of Complexity
General Information
- Technical Report, Spring 2018
- Spring 2020 Archives
- 1% Participation Cap on Alternate Assessment: Information and Justification Forms
- Michigan's Alternate Content Expectations for English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science
- MI-Access Performance Level Descriptors
- BAA Late Fee Structure
- Alternate Achievement Standards for Students with the most significant Cognitive Disabilities - Non Regulatory Guidance
- Every Student Succeeds ACT (ESSA)
- Spotlight Newsletter
Parent/Student
- Michigan's Education Assessment System: What It Is, What It Means, And What It Offers Flyer
- Parent User Guide - MILearn Student Assessment Score Reporting Site
- Student User Guide - MILearn Student Assessment Score Reporting Site
- Parent Teacher Conference Guide
- Michigan's Alternate Assessment: What It Is, What It Means, and What It Offers
- Michigan's Alternate Content Expectations for English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science
- MI-Access FI Online Tools Training
- Michigan's Alternate Content Expectations for Social Studies and Science
- Essential Elements with Michigan Range of Complexity
- Michigan Academic Standards