South Lyon Community Schools
Assessments Used for Magnet Screening
The South Lyon School Testing Program includes:
- Grade 1 - 4 - South Lyon District Achievement Assessments
- Grade 1 - 4 Reading & Math NWEA
- Grade 3 - 4 - ELA/Math M-STEP
For the purpose of screening for placement in the Academically Talented Programs, the following assessments may be used:
- Assessments from Johns Hopkins University (SCAT verbal, SCAT quantitative and STEP quantitative)
- Cognitive Abilities Test
The Students for the Magnet programs are identified using multiple criteria. Each spring a list of student names is compiled through five possible pathways. A child may qualify for screening in any of these ways:
- ability test scores
- achievement test scores
- teacher recommendation
- parent recommendation
- special nomination (previous year teacher, counselor, principal, etc.)
Most students who demonstrate a need for this program will be nominated by their teachers. The teacher will inform parents if he/she is nominating their child.
Parents may also nominate their child for screening. Please note that entering a child in the screening process does not mean parents are accepting placement in the Magnet Program. The screening only identifies whether or not the child has a need for the program. Students who qualify for and whose parents accept placement in the program will attend Pearson Elementary School the following school year.
Parents who are interested in nominating their child should confer with the child’s teacher to determine if their child is functioning above grade level and may have a need for the program. Parents may nominate their student for screening by filling out and submitting an online parent nomination form. The link will be emailed out to all 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade families in January 2023. Online registration will be open from January 13, 2023 - January 27, 2023.
The 2023-2024 Magnet above grade level testing occurs over the months of February & March. Magnet nominees (grades 2-4) are tested during the school week. Parents are not notified of specific testing dates. Emails will be sent out to all 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade families with more specific information on the screening and testing process beginning in January 2023.
Students who move into South Lyon Community Schools who attended an academically talented program in their previous district are evaluated for placement or screening on an individual basis.
Students who move into South Lyon Community Schools during the school year who did not attend an academically talented program in their previous district may be nominated for spring screening for the Magnet Program the following school year. Students who move into the district during the summer are evaluated separately. The procedure varies depending on when the student registers with the district.
Students who are new to the district may be screened based upon prior academic experience; however the district does not guarantee that students moving into the district after the spring screening will be able to be placed into the program. Placement in the program is dependent upon results of the screening and availability.
While the Magnet program has no cap during the spring screening period, staff placements are determined based upon the numbers of eligible students accepting placement in the program during the spring screening. Once staffing has been determined, the district will not add teachers to the Magnet program during the school year.
The following data is considered when determining program placement:
- academic ability
- achievement
- classroom performance and the behavioral characteristics of learning, creativity, and motivation
A matrix is used to analyze data and input in these areas. A committee of administrators from across the district reviews the individual matrix of each student who is screened. Qualified students are invited to join the program for the following year.
Please direct all questions to the appropriate program administrators:
Magnet Program: Kim Dancer, Pearson Principal, dancerk@slcs.us 248-573-8750
Screening Process: Melanie McCoy, Academically Talented Facilitator, mccoym@slcs.us 248-573-8200 x 2385
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