April 2, 2009                            
LANSING – Scores on the statewide math tests have risen for the fourth consecutive year, the Michigan Department of Education announced today. Students’ scores in social studies and writing rose overall, as well.

Over 75 percent of students in grades 3-8 tested as “proficient or above” on the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) math tests given in the Fall of 2008, including 91 percent of third graders. The greatest improvement was among seventh graders, where 83 percent scored proficient or above, compared to 73 percent the year before.

"There is a direct connection between our kids learning more in the classroom and getting the jobs we need in Michigan's economy," said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. "We are glad to see these signs of success but we know we have a lot of work to do to give Michigan the best educated workforce in the nation and that must be our goal."

Michigan students were tested in October 2008 on skills learned through the end of the previous year. Students’ MEAP scores are divided into four performance levels: Not Proficient, Partially Proficient, Proficient, and Advanced. Students who place in either the Proficient or Advanced levels are considered to be “proficient or above” in that subject.

“Certainly, this is great news,” said State Board of Education President Kathleen N. Straus. “We have raised our standards and more of our students are achieving them.”

Schools began implementing the new curriculum standards, known as Grade Level Content Expectations, in the 2004-05 school year. They have been recognized by independent reviewers across the nation to be among the most rigorous standards in the country.

“Our students and our teachers are rising to the challenge of academic improvement,” said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan. “While these overall statewide results are encouraging, there still are pockets of concern in nearly every community that need to be addressed.  Re-imagining how we teach all of our students will help every student in Michigan find success.”

The Fall 2008 MEAP results also include scores in the subject areas of reading, writing, science and social studies. Reading and writing are combined to produce an overall English language arts (ELA) score.

In reading, results were mixed, showing small increases or small declines over previous years. As in math, the greatest increase came in the seventh grade reading, where 79 percent of students scored proficient or above, compared to 72 percent the previous year.

In writing, a greater percentage of students scored proficient or above at every grade level except at fourth grade, which at 44 percent remained the same as in 2007. More than three-quarters of students attained the level of proficient or above in grades six (76 percent) and seven (78 percent).

In science, tested in grades five and eight, the percentage of students scoring at proficient or above remained relatively constant, compared to previous years. Social Studies, tested at grades six and nine, saw slight increases in scores over the previous year.
While a majority of students in Michigan participate in the MEAP, it is not appropriate for some students with disabilities (SWD). For that reason, the state developed MI-Access, the state’s alternate assessment program.

There are three MI-Access assessments in which students with disabilities can take part in: Participation; Supported Independence; and Functional Independence.  The assessment a student takes is determined by that student’s Individualized Education Program Team (IEPT) based upon their cognitive functioning level, level of independence, curriculum and instruction.
To view complete MI-Access results, go to www.michigan.gov/mi-access and click on “Statewide Results, Demographic Summary and Item Analysis Reports (State, District, School) in the box labeled State Assessment Reports for SWD.

To view complete MEAP results, go to www.michigan.gov/meap and click on the MEAP results link.