Novi's Michigan Merit Exam Scores Drop

students continue to score above state average on the Michigan Merit Exam, but scores in nearly all subjects in Novi decreased since this past year, according to a report released by the Michigan Department of Education Tuesday.

The test, taken each spring by high school juniors, showed that the Class of 2012 fared slightly worse than their recently graduated peers in reading, math, science and social studies. Only the writing scores improved since this past year.

Students also took the ACT. Novi's average composite ACT score increased slightly from 23.099 in 2010 to 23.23 in 2011, and was above the state average of 19.3 out of a possible 36. Novi ranked 10th in the top ACT scores in metro Detroit, according to the Detroit Free Press.

The percent of students receiving proficient or advanced performance levels in 2011 were as follows:

2011 Novi High School comparison to state averages

Novi High School: Two-year comparison

State Scores Increase in Some Subjects

In Michigan, the number of students scoring advanced or proficient increased in writing, math and science, but decreased in reading and social studies. The average ACT score in the state remained at 19.3 from 2010 to 2011.

The high school juniors who took the tests this past spring are the second set of students required by law to complete the new requirements in order to graduate. 

“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,” Gov. Rick Snyder said in a press 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.” he said.

MME content area scores fall into one of four performance levels: Advanced, Proficient, Partially Proficient, and Not Proficient. Students who have scores at the level of Advanced or Proficient are considered to be “proficient” in that subject.