11th Grade Test Scores Show Improvement, Slip in Reading, Social Studies

Eleventh-grade students in the this year on average outperformed the majority of the state's high school students taking the Michigan Merit Examination and ACT college entrance exam, according to results released by the Michigan Department of Education.

Results of the examinations, which were released to the public Tuesday morning, indicated the ACT scores rose from an average of 23 in 2010 to 23.3 in 2011. The average ACT score within the state remained unchanged for the year, at 19.3.

Test results released Tuesday indicate the percent of students meeting or exceeding minimum results on the Michigan Merit Examination improved in three of five subjects, with slight decreases in social studies and reading. The percent of students in the district meeting or exceeding the state's minimum standard rose in writing, math and science. The changes appear to follow statewide trends of improvements and decreases.

Richard Machesky, assistant superintendent of secondary education for the Troy district, said local scores typically follow statewide trends in improvement.

"I think we planned for success," Machesky said Tuesday afternoon. "We typically have a general sense on where things are going to shake out from year to year. There are some fluctuations. We look for significant differences from one year to the next. We didn't see any significant differences from last year to this year... We continue to show strong achievement."

Statewide, average test scores have improved since the state began administering the Michigan Merit Examination in 2007. The biggest gains to statewide scores have been in writing, which improved from 40 percent of students meeting state expectations to 47 percent from 2007 to 2011.

Machesky said individual school administrators will examine scores in the early fall to see where they can work to close performance gaps among different student population groups. However, he said the district's focus on classroom instruction will help to raise scores among those students struggling to meet state standards.

"We have been really focused on instruction," Machesky said. "That's what we know works with all students in the classroom. That is what will ultimately allow us to close that achievement gap."

Governor Rick Snyder said in a news release Tuesday that he is encouraged by the statewide improvements, but cautioned that districts across the state must continue to improve.

"Our steady progress is promising, but we can and must do better," Snyder said in the statement. "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."

The Michigan Merit Examination assesses students in grade 11 and eligible students in grade 12 based on Michigan high school standards. It's administered each March and consists of three components including the ACT Plus Writing College Entrance Examination; Work Keys job skills assessments in reading, mathematics and "locating information;" and Michigan-developed assessments in math, science and social studies.

Mike Flanagen, superintendent of pubic instruction with the Michigan Department of Education, said students continue to achieve at higher levels.

"Michigan educators are to be commended for the efforts they put in to help more students learn and succeed," Flanagan said.

The percent of students meeting or exceeding standards in the Troy district and statewide are as follows:

Troy School District (All figures except ACT scores represent percentages)

2010

2011

State 2010

State 2011

Reading

81

79

65

63

Writing

70

73

44

47

Math

76

78

50

52

Science

74

79

58

61

Social Studies

90

87

79

78

ACT Average

23

23.3

19.3

19.3

Test results at each of the Troy district's schools were also released by the Michigan Department of Education.

(figures are actual number of students)

Math

Reading

Science

Social Studies

Writing

Level 1: Advanced

127

30

74

220

47

Level 2: Proficient

172

262

219

108

225

Level 3: Partially Proficient

35

62

34

39

111

Level 4 Not Proficient

65

45

72

32

16

Not Met

100

107

106

71

127

Met or exceeded

299

292

293

328

272

Number included out of 400 tested

399

399

399

399

399

(figures shown are actual number of students)

Math

Reading

Science

Social Studies

Wrtiing

Level 1: Advanced

172

345

264

112

257

Level 2 Proficient

35

54

26

28

95

Level 3 Partially Proficient

45

17

46

9

10

Level 4: Not Proficient

45

17

46

9

10

Met or Exceeded

389

398

397

432

365

Not Met

80

71

72

37

105

Number included out of 472 tested

469

469

469

469

470