2013 Michigan Merit Exam Scores Show Strides in Student Proficiency

The Michigan Department of Education continued to see to a four-year upward trend in student proficiency on both the 2013 Michigan Merit Examination and ACT college entrance exam, test results released Monday show. 

But, MME student proficiency scores declined slightly from last year compared to this spring among high juniors tested.

State Superintendent Mike Flanagan said in a prepared statement, “Over the past four years, more high school students are being taught challenging content and are becoming career-and college-ready. This upward trend is good news for students, educators and our state.”

Strides in mathematics, writing on MME 

The MME showed the biggest strides in math and writing--with math proficiency increases at slightly more than three percent and writing nearly six percent.

Science and social studies showed gains of 1.5 percent average 1.1 percent average, respectively. Reading had yearly fluctuations, "ending with a slight decline over the same four-year period," according to the state department. 

Reading still had the highest student performance scores across the five MME subjects with 53.3 percent considered advanced or proficient. 

ACT scores rise for fourth consecutive year

During that same four-year period, "the average ACT score rose incrementally in all categories," according the state. 

Science scores jumped the most from 19.7 to 20.1. English scores rose from 18.4 to 18.8 while reading and mathematics increased from 19.4 to 19.6. 

The overall composite score for Michigan students on the ACT college-entrance exam increased for the fourth consecutive year to 19.7.

“While assessment score fluctuations are not unusual when comparing different classes of students, results show the need to continue the state’s strong commitment to high standards,” Flanagan said.

 Find out your local school district's scores here. 

Source: Michigan Department of Education