Please be aware of the following deadlines for the Fall 2024 reporting of Benchmark Assessment Data: 

Due by December 16, 2024

• Benchmark assessment data received by Michigan DataHub
• Mode of Instruction data received by Michigan DataHub
• Benchmark Reporting and Funding Application submitted in
• NexSys (application will tentatively be available Nov. 18 - Dec. 16, 2024)

Please note that the Michigan law has changed how Benchmark Assessment funding is allocated to the districts. In previous years, the funding was a fixed $12.50 per student allocation; under the new legislation, the $11.5 million allotment is split among all eligible districts based on each district’s K-8 membership count. Therefore, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has stated that it is critical for districts planning to participate to adhere to the timelines this year. MDE will be unable to grant extensions to individual districts due to the impact that would have on the calculation and distribution of awards. All districts should be working with their benchmark assessment vendors and the Michigan DataHub (MDH) now to ensure their benchmark score data and mode of instruction data are/have been published to the MDH.

Refer to the resources below for additional information on how to ensure this data, required for the Benchmark Assessment initiative has published to the MDH:

2024-25 Benchmark Assessment Webinar Slide deck and presentation

• The recording and slide deck are located on the Michigan Data Hub Training page (https://www.midatahub.org/support/ trainings/). 

November 21, Spotlight Article “Benchmark Assessment Report and Funding Application Update” 

• This Spotlight article (https://tinyurl.com/295bdb7b) includes the latest information. 

Options for Updating Mode of Instruction (MOI) Data for Benchmark Assessment

Districts must provide Mode of Instruction (MOI) data to MDH for the Fall 2024 term by December 16, 2024. This data is critical for ensuring compliance with the requirement to disaggregate benchmark results by MOI. 

Districts can choose one of the following methods to update the Mode of Instruction:

Option One: Update MOI Data in Your SIS

If your district uses Edupoint Synergy Infinite Campus, MISTAR-Q, PowerSchool, or Skyward as its SIS, you can enter the MOI data directly in your SIS. The data will then automatically transfer to MDH. Contact your SIS vendor for specific instructions on how to enter MOI data in your system.

Option Two: Use the MOI Import Process in MDH

MDH offers an import process that allows users to manage MOI data through a downloadable spreadsheet. The basic steps are to download a list of students from MDh, manually enter the MOI data into the spreadsheet, and upload the updated spreadsheet back to MDH. The complete documentation is found at the following link:  https://www.midatahub.org/pub/stories/view/mode-of-instruction-import. 

Option Three: Use the Maintenance Script to Default MOI

For districts looking to streamline the process, a maintenance script in the MDH cockpit can automatically mark all students as Fully In-Person if they lack an existing MOI designation. 

• This script is found under Utilities > Maintenance Scripts > RTL - Mode of Instructions - Update.
• This script can be run by a Technical Contact in your district or by MDH staff (upon request via a ticket at MiServiceDesk).
• Important Notes:
• This script should be run only once.
• It can be used after completing Options One or Two above to assign a default MOI for remaining students without a MOI designation.

To view current student MOI data in MDH, go to Reports > Manage Custom Exports in the MDH cockpit and look for an existing Export Set named Mode of Instruction or MOI. If one does not exist, choose Mode of Instruction from the Select Query Tag dropdown at the bottom of the screen and click Create Export Set.

For further assistance or questions, please contact MDH support via a ticket at MiServiceDesk.

Benchmark Assessment Readiness Checklist

One way we have streamlined this verification is by having a dashboard available, found in the Michigan Data Hub Cockpit. To access this dashboard, you will need to have authorization as a Technical Contact in MDH for your district and the current school year in the MDH Cockpit needs to be set to the current school year. To access this dashboard, login to the MDH Cockpit and select Features > Benchmark Assessment Legislation (see below).

Key Integration status: Please ensure each section has an integration configured which is indicated by a green checkmark.

SIS: Confirms an active Student Information System integration is configured.

Assessments: Confirms your district has one of the four MDE Identified Assessment integrations configured (see list below). If this section is failing (Red), please follow the links found below to configuration guides for each assessment system. 

• DRC Smarter - Balanced and Early Literacy and Mathematics Benchmark Assessments
• iReady
• NWEA
• Renaissance Star

Benchmark Assessment Legislation: Confirms you have configured the API Integration.

Data Readiness Status: Look for your Assessment type to make sure your Beginning of Year scores and Mode Of Instruction are present.

Stay Connected to Student Data During MSDS Downtime

If you handle student data in MSDS, you may be aware that the system will be offline for a scheduled period - December 2nd through December 4th - for the Fall General Collection closeout. MDH and CEPI have collaborated to provide tools like UIC Services and Snack-Pack, which ensure you have access to critical student data directly through your Student Information System (SIS) - even during the MSDS offline period.

What Are UIC Services?

UIC Services streamline how you manage UICs for students. With these tools integrated directly into you SIS, you can:

• Conduct automated UIC searches and resolutions.
• Link and request UICs in seconds without needing to log into MSDS.

What’s Snack-Pack?

Snack-Pack is a handy portable student record service that retrieves essential student data for new transfers. It pulls the latest records from MSDS, submitted by the student’s previous district, and makes them accessible right from your SIS. This way, you can quickly get up-to-date information on incoming students without the hassle of waiting for manual file transfers.

Is My District Covered?

If your district uses Infinite Campus, MISTAR-Q, PowerSchool, Skyward or Synergy, you can integrate these services into your SIS. The links below provide detailed information:

• UIC Services
• Snack-Pack

If you have any questions about the integrations, please contact us by opening a help desk ticket at MiServiceDesk.  

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