Dive Brief:
- Less than half of Michigan students are reading at proficiency level, while just 33% are proficient in math.
- The new Common Core-aligned M-STEP test replaces a previous exam that had been in place for the last 44 years.
- State officials told the media that they had expected Michigan’s students to do even worse.
Dive Insight:
The state's old paper test, the Michigan Education Assessment Program, was replaced by the online M-STEP, which stressed critical thinking, problem solving, and essay answers over multiple choice. Michigan is reportedly one of six states where fourth-graders are learning at a "lower reading level than a decade ago." The state plans to use the results to help track improvement over the next few years. State officials told the South Bend Tribune that the students actually exceeded expectations.
Similar to Oregon and Nevada, Michigan has also chosen to implement a three-year freeze on public school rankings, in order to allow time for teachers and schools to adjust to higher standards.
