The results are out for the Fall 2012 Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP).
They show gains in reading, mathematics and writing in all grades and most demographic groups.
The Michigan Department of Education says the MEAP tests are "based on career- and college-ready standards and are the only statewide measure of what students know and are able to do in grades 3 through 9."
In the press release sent out today, Governor Snyder shared his perspective on the results
“We’re moving in the right direction and that’s a credit to our schools, parents and the students themselves,” Gov. Rick Snyder said. “But much work remains..."
Education officials say in particular, students in grades 3 and 8 showed gains in reading proficiency (4.1 and 5.2 percent gain respectively).
Mathematics also had proficiency gains at all grade levels, with the largest gains occurring in grades 3, 4, and 5 (4.6, 5.0, and 6.1 percent gain respectively). Writing proficiency saw a 4.4 percent increase in grade 7 and a 2.2 percent increase in grade 4.
Michigan Radio's Sarah Cwiek reports there were gains in Detroit as well.
Citywide, Detroit’s third-through-eighth graders showed gains that outpaced state averages, for the most part. But the district’s overall scores remain relatively low.
MRPN's Jake Neher is reporting that the overall scores in science did not fare as well.
... less than 16 percent of students had passing grades in science, and that number is dropping. Joseph Martineau is with the state Department of Education. He says that’s a serious concern, but the statistics might be a bit misleading. “That’s simply a reflection of what is being expected by college and community college professors in science. They appear to have higher expectations of their students than, maybe, in some of those other content areas.”
The Detroit Free Press has a searchable database to see results for particular schools in Michigan. You can check it out to see how well your schools are doing.
Although the results were released publicly today, Michigan schools received them in December. This allows teachers to review and analyze those results, and use the information to potentially change their teaching.
- Chris Zollars, Michigan Radio Newsroom
