Security Breach Forces Alternate MEAP Test for Creekside Students

Update: Hartland Superintendent Janet Sifferman responded Friday to the statement below saying was the reason for going to the alternative test. Click on the link above for a story on her comments.

Martin Ackley, communications director for the Michigan Department of Education, issued the following statement to the media this morning to update the status of the " this week" at Hartland's :

"Although the Department is awaiting the final report from the investigators, an initial determination has been made that security was breached on one or more of the MEAP tests at Creekside Elementary School in the Hartland Consolidated Schools district. In the best interest of the students, school, district, and the state, it was determined that the school will administer alternate forms of the test, often referred to as the 'emergency' form.

"Since the school is a K-4 building, the only grades being tested are grades 3 and 4. Subject areas to be tested are mathematics and reading at grades 3 and 4, writing at grade 4. School staff will administer tests according to the Fall 2011 MEAP assessment schedule, which begins next Tuesday. MDE representatives will deliver the replacement tests to the building and will be on site to monitor testing on scheduled testing days.

"It is important to stress that the investigators have yet to provide a final report to the Michigan Department of Education and it is our policy to not comment on any further specifics of a situation still under investigation."

Please check back to Hartland Patch for further updates.