The program was started by the State Board of Education and supported by then Governor William G. Millken. The MEAP tests were first administered during the 1969-70 school year for the purpose of determining at various points in a student's career, their progress compared to standards set by the State Board of Education.
Recently it was found that the requirement for students to have 40 hours of community service in order to receive the merit scholarship of $2500 was unconstitutional by Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox.