Merit Scores: Bloomfield Hills Students Continue Strong Performance in Standardized Test

Students in the Bloomfield Hills Schools district continued to outpace the state average in proficiency of every category of the Michigan Merit Exam this year.

According to data released today, the students continued to show proficiency in writing, math, science and social studies that on average was roughly 30 percentage points or higher than others in Michigan.

The average ACT score also improved from 24.8 to 25.6, the data shows. The state average remained the same at 19.3. Reports show that 319 International Academy students, 233 Andover students, and 189 Lahser students took the test.

"You love to do well on these exams and they're among the better standardized measures we have," Superintendent Rob Glass said. "We're encouraged that we did very well."

The exam assesses students in eleventh grade based on Michigan high school standards, according to the Michigan Department of Education. They were the second set of students to complete the new high school graduation requirements under state law.

Student’s proficiency scores in Bloomfield Hills dipped slightly from last year in two categories: reading from 91 percent to 90 percent; and from 96 percent to 93 percent in social studies. The statewide averages also dropped in those two categories by two percent and one percent, respectively.

Scores in every other category either improved or stayed the same. Despite the dip in social studies, the 93 percent proficiency score was the highest recorded in any category on the test.

Statewide, Michigan students continue to improve their scores in all subjects, with an increase in the number of students who scored proficient or advanced in reading, writing, math and science. The largest increase across the state was in writing, with 47 percent of students proficient or advanced in 2011, up from 40 percent in 2007.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder said there is also room for improvement in the test results.

“Michigan’s future in large part will depend upon the readiness of our students to enter a career or college with the educational foundation needed to succeed and have a strong quality of life,” Snyder said in news release. “Our steady progress is promising, but we can and must do better. I am confident that with our rigorous high school requirements, high quality teachers and the enactment and implementation of key education reforms, this positive trend will continue.”

Bloomfield Hills

(% of proficient or advanced students)

State

(% of proficient or advanced students)