April 8, 2008

LANSING – For the third straight year, math scores have risen on the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) tests for the state’s elementary and middle school students, the Michigan Department of Education reported today.

Mathematics scores improved at every grade tested (3rd through 8th) except fifth grade, which saw only a slight decline. Writing scores improved at the third, fifth, seventh, and eighth grade levels. Eighth grade science and reading scores also improved.

This year’s results also reveal a trend that shows students in earlier grades score at higher achievement levels than students in grades 6, 7, and 8. This suggests a greater benefit to students who have an earlier exposure to the new Grade Level Content Expectations.

"Our performance in the early grades indicates that when we are clear about what we want students to learn, they can reach the high goals we've set for them," said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm.   "But we need to keep pushing until students at all grade levels are demonstrating world class achievement."

Michigan students were tested in October 2007 on skills learned through the end of the previous year.

“This is very encouraging,” said State Board of Education President Kathleen N. Straus. “We are beginning to see the results of the foundation we’ve established to help Michigan’s children succeed.”

The State Board of Education adopted Grade Level Content Expectations for mathematics and English language arts (ELA), which include writing, three years ago. The State Board approved this past year the K-8 Grade Level Content Expectations for science and social studies.

The Grade Level Content Expectations provide teachers and students with detail and focus on the skills students should know at the end of each grade.  They were designed to bring a more consistent curriculum across the state for each grade, K-8.

“We expect to see similar gains in science and social studies as the new standards begin to be implemented in every classroom across the state,” Straus said.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan noted that even though this year’s reading scores fell slightly, over 70 percent of the students at each grade level tested were proficient, as they were in math, science, and social studies.

“A 70 percent pass rate is adequate, but not good enough for Michigan,” said Flanagan.  "I continue to be concerned for the 30 percent of the students not making the grade as if they were my own children."

Students’ MEAP scores are divided into four performance levels: Advanced, Proficient, Partially Proficient, and Not Proficient.  Students who place in either the Advanced or Proficient levels are considered to be “proficient” in that subject.  Those who place in the Partially Proficient or Not Proficient levels are deemed to be “not proficient.”