Michigan Must Continue Carrying Out Evidence-Based Plans to Improve Student Proficiency

State Test Scores Released Today Show Continued Collaboration Is Needed
for Higher Achievement in English, Math, Science and Social Studies

LANSING – Michigan education leaders are reiterating their commitment to evidence-based instruction proven to improve student proficiency as the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) releases the 2026 M-STEP and SAT/PSAT scores today.

Most proficiency rates are essentially flat when compared to 2025 results on the tests, with the rates on all except four of 20 tests staying within 2 percentage points of the numbers in 2025 and most staying within a percentage point.

“It will take continued hard work from everyone and a strong Students First approach to improve student achievement across Michigan,” said State Superintendent Dr. Glenn Maleyko. “That means we must emphasize teamwork involving MDE, the State Board of Education, local school districts, parents, the governor, the legislature, the business and philanthropic communities, education associations, labor, higher education and libraries. The good news is that we have broad and bipartisan support for plans to use evidence-based methods such as the Science of Reading to improve student proficiency. However, we need to make improvements to help our students achieve at higher levels. We need to increase proficiency rates in all subject areas and show steady improvement over time.”

The M-STEP and SAT/PSAT scores measure student proficiency in English language arts, math, science and social studies. The Center for Educational Performance and Information posts statewide results under “K-12 Grade” and “State Testing” on MI School Data (mischooldata.org), Michigan’s official education data portal.

“MDE’s top priority is literacy because reading is the foundation to students’ success in other subjects and ultimately in postsecondary education and their careers,” said Dr. Delsa Chapman, the deputy superintendent of the department’s Division of Assessment, School Improvement, and Systems Support. “At the same time, the department also is focusing on using evidence-based methods to improve proficiency in math, science and social studies.”

When it comes to literacy, the department is implementing historic measures passed by the legislature and signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in late 2024 and 2026. The 2024 law is just now getting close to being fully implemented and work is beginning on carrying out requirements in the July 2026 laws, so the state test results from assessments students took in spring 2026 don’t yet fully reflect the benefits of the laws.

MDE and the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential in March released the  Every Child Reads Next Steps Forward plan and the governor in May issued Executive Order 2026-12: Every Child Reads Champions Council. On Thursday Gov. Whitmer announced appointments to the Every Child Reads Council that will advise the governor on Michigan’s literacy agenda.

The department is implementing the 2024 literacy and dyslexia laws by:

•          Awarding more than $150 million in total to more than 500 districts in each of two rounds of grants to purchase whole class or intervention literacy materials, professional learning for teachers, or literacy assessments that have been approved by the MDE Committee for Literacy Achievement. 
•          Approving a list of assessments to screen and monitor the progress of children who need extra support in learning to read and a list of evidence-based literacy curricula for Michigan schools to use.
•          Requiring the state’s teacher preparation programs by September 2027 to provide all teacher candidates with instruction in the characteristics of dyslexia, difficulties in learning to decode accurately and efficiently, and instructional adjustments for students with reading challenges.
•          Developing a list of approved K-3 valid and reliable screening and progress monitoring reading assessments and a list of evidence-based tier 1, class-wide elementary reading curricula and materials that research has shown improves literacy outcomes and helps pupils achieve reading proficiency.
•          Approving literacy curricula and screening and progress-monitoring assessments that use the Science of Reading to improve literacy instruction. The Science of Reading focuses on teaching students phonemic awareness (the ability to recognize sound), phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.

The 2026 literacy laws will ensure that the people who are responsible for teaching reading to Michigan children have the professional learning they need in the Science of Reading. One law requires state-funded Science of Reading professional learning for public school teachers who teach reading in grades K-5. Another requires faculty at educator preparation programs to receive training in the Science of Reading.

So far more than 7,600 educators in Michigan have completed Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) training in the Science of Reading, but the training has been voluntary.

To improve math achievement, among other things the department this fall is rolling out the Michigan Mathematics Framework, with a focus on a shared vision for mathematics learning; evidence-based curriculum, instruction, and assessment; and coordinated systems for mathematics. Together, these components will ensure all students have access to high-quality and engaging learning opportunities in mathematics.

Science efforts include the department’s creation of a committee for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics—better known as STEM—achievement that will recommend tools and strategies with the goal of increasing student achievement in science.

In social studies, efforts to improve proficiency include an American history toolkit that MDE has made available to local educators to increase engagement and knowledge and other assistance being provided statewide by the department’s social studies consultant.

“Michigan’s educators remain deeply committed to ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed,” said Dr. Tina Kerr, executive director of the Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators. “State assessment results provide an important measure of our progress, while also helping us identify where additional focus and support are needed. We have seen the value of a sustained focus on strengthening literacy across Michigan, and we know meaningful improvement takes time, commitment and collaboration. The Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators looks forward to continuing to work alongside MDE, local school leaders and educators to build on this work and improve outcomes for students across our state.”

The Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress, or M-STEP, is designed to gauge how well students are progressing toward state subject matter standards. These standards, developed for educators by educators, broadly outline what students should know and be able to do to be prepared to enter the workplace, career education training and college.

When combined with classroom work, report cards, local district assessments, formative assessment practices (daily information about students’ knowledge, understanding, and skills to address their learning needs),and other local tools, M-STEP results help offer a comprehensive view of student progress and achievement.

The M-STEP assessments are rigorous and not meant to measure reading ability or math ability by themselves. They are meant to measure understanding of a broad set of rigorous subject matter standards. Because these assessments are high-bar tests, students who score partially proficient are not necessarily performing below their grade level, and many who are below the proficient benchmark are successful throughout school, in high school, in college and in their chosen professions.

The SAT is administered by the College Board and students’ scores are among many criteria that universities and colleges may use to make admissions decisions. The PSAT is a pretest for the SAT.

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