MEAP scores decline slightly
MEAP scores decline slightly
By GARRETT NEESE, DMG Writer
HOUGHTON — Copper Country high school seniors’ scores on the Michigan Educational Assessment Program test, like those of 12th graders across the state, declined slightly from 2005.
Students tested in math, reading, science, social studies and writing.
Math was the only subject where a majority of area districts improved their 2006 scores.
Statewide, the number of students who met or exceeded expectations in social studies rose by three percentage points, the only category to do so. Despite the increase, it was still the lowest-performing test in the state, with only 33.8 percent of students in the top two levels.
Reading scores dropped 7.8 percent, while math scores fell nearly 4.5 percent.
“It’s not rocket science,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Michael Flanagan said in a news release. “When our kids don’t take the subjects we test them on, they score poorly on the tests.”
Students can take the tests multiple times in high school to qualify for Advanced Placement classes and Dual Enrollment programs and the Michigan Merit Scholarship. Students’ best scores are compiled in the “Class of” results.
Six of 11 local districts improved in math, while only three improved in reading.
Three local districts — Baraga, L’Anse and Chassell — saw declines in all five areas.
Ewen-Trout Creek students bettered the 2005 class in everything but writing, while Lake Linden High School improved over 2005 in every area except reading.
Lake Linden High School Principal Craig Sundblad pointed to social studies as a bright spot. About 60.5 percent of Lake Linden seniors met or exceed standards there, well above the state average of 36.8 percent and nearly three percentage points above the school’s figure from last year.
“Our curriculum is on track with that, and we’re delivering,” he said.
Houghton-Portage Township Schools had the Copper Country’s highest percentages in math, reading and science. Superintendent Bill Polkinghorne said the district has traditionally done well in the MEAP tests.
Still, he said, the district will look at ways to get better.
“No matter what you do, you always want to target for improvement,” he said.
Next year, the state will switch to the Michigan Merit Exam, which incorporates the ACT.
Polkinghorne said the changes would be both “a blessing and a curse.” When the standards used to measure students change so frequently, he said, it’s harder to meet them.
“If you tell teachers what they have to teach, and teachers are teaching what they’re supposed to, the kids are going to learn, and they’ll do well,” he said.
Garrett Neese can be reached at gneese@mininggazette.com
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