Missouri education officials are piloting a new model for the state’s decades-old standardized test, shifting the Missouri Assessment Program from a single end-of-year exam to a through-year assessment with multiple checkpoints.
The new testing model breaks the content into modules and combines results into a summative report at the end of the year. This change is designed to give a clearer picture of student growth during the school year and deliver results within 24 to 48 hours.
State officials say the new model could help address one of the most persistent complaints about the Missouri Assessment Program: By the time teachers see the results, the students who took it have often already moved on. This concern is taking on added urgency as Missouri lawmakers weigh new measures to hold schools accountable.
We are using a flawed test to put greater emphasis on something because we want accountability.
"The new testing model will maintain the Missouri Learning Standards and fulfill state and federal requirements for statewide, summative tests. A $1 million federal grant kickstarted the creation of the new assessment, funding the department’s planning process as it applied for a federal waiver to conduct the pilot.
The department plans to expand the pilot to 3,000 fourth-grade students and 3,000 students in grade five next year. By the 2028-29 school year, all Missouri students grades 3-8 will be switched over to the new model.
If you’re interested in learning more about how this new testing model can support your child’s education, consider exploring the resources available through the Learning Success All Access Program, which offers a free trial and personalized Action Plan.
