November 5, 2003

The statewide scores of high school students who took the four separate tests either in their sophomore, junior, or senior years show marked improvement in science and social studies.

"I want to thank our parents and teachers for their efforts on behalf of our students," said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Watkins. "It is encouraging to see more students recognizing the importance and value of taking the MEAP tests in high school," Watkins added. "It gives the students, their parents, and their schools a greater indicator of what they’ve learned and where they can go from here."

The number of students graduating in 2003 who took all of the MEAP high school tests increased from 95,331 to 101,282 over the previous year, an increase of 5.9 percent. Students had the opportunity to re-take the tests twice up until the spring of their senior year. These results reflect the highest scores each student had attained.

Sixty-one percent of the students who took the science test met or exceeded the state standards, compared to 59.2 percent the previous year. That was an increase of 5,597 students. Likewise, the social studies test scores improved over 2002, with 26 percent of the students meeting or exceeding the state standards compared to 24 percent the previous year.

"Our standards are high in Michigan and the social studies test still presents a challenge to Michigan students," said State Board of Education President Kathleen N. Straus, "but we need to keep Michigan standards at a level where achievement really means something."

Watkins added that while there is reason to celebrate the statewide improvement in science and social studies, "we have a long way to go to provide all of our children the education they need and deserve to thrive in the 21stCentury."

Michigan’s Chief Academic Officer and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Hughes, PhD said that high school scores in the reading, writing, and math MEAP tests declined in 2003. The percentage of students who met or exceeded the state standards in the math test dropped from 67 percent to 60 percent. The reading scores went from 71.3 percent who met or exceeded state standards to 67 percent and the writing scores dipped from 68.2 percent to 61 percent.

Caution should be used in comparing historical results for reading and writing with this year’s scores, Hughes noted. This is the first year of implementation for a new, more rigorous, English Language Arts assessment that combined the reading and writing skills. The new assessment reflects the current and tougher Michigan Curriculum Frameworks.

"Although we’re disappointed with some of the scores," Hughes said, "they will help us gauge schools’ strengths and weaknesses. We certainly intend to get all students to meet or exceed the state standards. That is our goal and we will help our schools in getting there."

MEAP results will be used to finalize Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) reports the Department of Education will be sending to schools. The calculation of AYP, as dictated by the federal No Child Left Behind law, also includes requirements related to the percentage of students tested in the schools, a school's attendance rate, and the graduation rate of high schools. After receiving their preliminary AYP reports, school districts will have 15 calendar days to review and make any appeals to the state. The public release of the AYP and EducationYES! Report Cards will follow the resolution of all appeals.

The results in reading, writing, and math test scores correlate to a reduced number of high school graduates who qualified for the Merit Award. Only 51 percent (51,331) of the students taking the tests qualified for the Merit scholarship award this year, compared to 54 percent (51,879) in 2002. Summary reports for MEAP testing at all grade levels have been posted on the Michigan Department of Treasury web site at http://www.michigan.gov/treasury and at Michigan Merit Award.

Scores for public school districts and individual school buildings as well as public school academies also will be available at http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/mischoolinfo/.