LANSING – State assessment scores in Reading for the Michigan high school Class of 2005 showed improvement in the percentage of students meeting or exceeding state standards; however, scores in Writing, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies dipped compared to scores from the previous year’s graduating class, the Michigan Department of Education reported today.

Reading test scores, which jumped by nearly 10 percentage points for the Class of 2004 compared to 2003, showed a continued increase for the Class of 2005.  The 84,729 students (77.9 percent) from the Class of 2005 who met or exceeded state reading standards increased nearly two percentage points over the Class of 2004, 80,214 students (76.2 percent).

“We obviously are seeing a tremendous effort in our schools to improve student reading skills,” said State Board of Education President Kathleen N. Straus.  “We saw reading scores improve at the elementary and middle school levels earlier this year, and now at the high school level. 

“But we need to continue addressing the academic challenges our high schools are facing.  The State Board is vigorously engaged in high school reform efforts, as is Governor Granholm.  We need to increase standards, increase resources, and increase opportunities for our students,” she said.

In addition, there were fewer students who scored in the lowest band, or "not endorsed" category, on the Reading test.  Only 8,504 students (7.8 percent) of the 108,791 test takers scored in this band, compared to 10,004 (9.5 percent) from the previous class.

Results in the other subject areas assessed show declines as compared to previous classes.  In Writing, 62,604 students (57.2 percent) of the Class of 2005 met or exceeded state standards compared to 60,979 (57.8 percent) of the Class of 2004.  In Mathematics, 62,135 students (56.9 percent) of the Class of 2005 met or exceeded state standards compared to 62,109 (58.7 percent) from the previous class.

In Science, 63,102 students (58.0 percent) of the Class of 2005 met or exceeded state standards compared to 66,901 (63.4 percent) of the Class of 2004.  The number of students in the Class of 2005 who met or exceeded state standards in Social Studies was 36,151 (33.8 percent) compared to 36,026 (35.0 percent) for the class of 2004.

This year marks the fourth consecutive year that the number of high school students taking the MEAP test has increased.  Over 109,000 students from the Class of 2005 took assessments in one or more subject areas, compared 105,000 in last year’s class, and 102,000 in the Class of 2003.

“Testing more students each year gives high schools a broader understanding of their curriculum strengths and weaknesses,” said Interim Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jeremy Hughes.  “In addition, it helps us recognize specific challenges that traditional high schools face as we continue Governor Granholm’s and the State Board of Education’s urgent focus to develop high schools that prepare every student to succeed in college or trade school.”

Summary Reports for each of the state’s public school districts and both public and non-public high schools have been posted on the Michigan Department of Education web site.  You can access that information by logging on to www.michigan.gov/mde and MEAP test results page.