Snyder: Restoring MEAP test not his preference
Governor Rick Snyder says he's not giving up on plans to change Michigan's standardized student test. That's despite a provision in the School Aid budget that lawmakers could send to the governor soon. It says schools have to stick with the current test - the MEAP -- for at least another year.
The governor wants the state to use "Smarter Balanced," a new student test that's aligned with the controversial "Common Core" education standards.
A lot of Republicans want to hold off on switching to "Smarter Balanced," stick with the current test - the MEAP - for another year, and develop a new, different test.
"We all want to get there. We will get there. I'm very optimistic," says Senator Howard Walker (-Traverse City), who chairs the Senate K-12 budget subcommittee. "It's just I think it was appropriate to hit the 'pause' button for a little bit to make sure we're going to do it right."
But Governor Snyder says that won't work because other states will be switching to "Smarter Balanced" in the coming school year, and using those standards to measure their students. He says Michigan can't afford to fall behind.
"I think it's possible to work out moving forward, but time is critical and relatively short in looking at some of these subjects."
The governor did not say if a veto might be in the works. Schools in Michigan have already begun preparing for the switch, while similar controversies in other states have led several to drop the test.
