Schools

Clawson Scores on 2013 Michigan Merit Exam Jump, Still Trail State

Data from the Michigan Department of Education shows the Class of 2013 performed at higher percentages than their predecessors in every tested subject.

Clawson scores from the 2013 Michigan Merit Exam (MME) saw improvements in every subject, but the district's 2013 scores, released Monday, still trail statewide averages.

The MME, according to the Michigan Department of Education, assesses students in the eleventh grade based on Michigan high school standards. The test includes the ACT Plus Writing college entrance examination, along with other state proficiency tests.

Student performance falls into one of four categories: advanced, proficient, partially proficient and not proficient. Students must score either "proficient" or "advanced" to be considered proficient in that subject.

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In Clawson and across Michigan, students' scores took a hit in 2012 due to new scoring standards adopted by the Michigan Department of Education in September 2011. There was little recovery shown in the 2013 scores.

The new cut scores — which went into effect for the MME and Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) in 2012 — are more rigorous than previous standards: Students now need to get roughly 65 percent of the answers correct to “pass” the state test, instead of the previous benchmark of 39 percent.

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Flanagan noted that while the results continue to show a four-year upward trend in student proficiency, the MME student proficiency scores (statewide) declined slightly when compared to 2012.

“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," State Superintendent, Mike Flanagan said of the 2013 scores. “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."

In Clawson, the percentage of students who scored either proficient or advanced on the 2013 MME increased in every subject. The biggest increase was in writing. In 2012, 39 percent of Clawson students were proficient or advanced in writing; in 2013, that figure increased 10 percentage points to 49.

The ACT average, while lower than the state average of 19.7, increased one point from 18.4 to 19.4.

Clawson (percent proficient)

Math: 2013 - 26% 2012 - 24%

Reading: 2013 - 49% 2012 -48%

Science: 2013 - 20% 2012 -14%

Writing: 2013 - 49% 2012 - 39%

Social Studies: 2013 - 31%  2012 - 22% 

Clawson ACT Average

2012: 18.4

2013: 19.4

State Scores 2013 (percent proficient)

Math: 29%

Reading: 54%

Science: 26%

Writing: 49%

Social Studies: 39%

Statewide ACT Average

2013: 19.7

All data provided by the Michigan Department of Education.


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