Schools

Huron Valley Students Score Above State Average in MEAP Subjects

Some scores dropped in comparison to last year, reflecting new, more rigorous standards for standardized test.

Huron Valley students scored a higher level of proficiency in every grade level and every subject than students statewide, according to the 2011 MEAP results released Wednesday by the Michigan Department of Education.

Compared to 2010 scores, which were adjusted using the state's new "cut scores," Huron Valley saw positive gains in eighth-grade science and most grades in reading and math.

The biggest drops in Huron Valley scores from 2010 to 2011 were shown in ninth-grade social studies, sixth-grade social studies, fifth-grade science and fourth-grade math.

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The drop can be explained in part by the new "cut scores" for the MEAP that the state adopted last year. With these more rigorous cut scores, students need to get roughly 65 percent of the answers correct to pass the state test, instead of only 39 percent that was the previous benchmark.

So the actual measurement of proficiency has changed dramatically.

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The new cut scores better reflect how well schools are preparing students for success at the next grade level and whether all Michigan students are progressing at a level sufficient for them to be career- and college-ready when they complete their high school education, according to the Department of Education. These scores have been retroactively applied to MEAP results from 2010.

Huron Valley Superintendent Jackie Johnston said, in a letter home to parents, "While we recognize that the standards for proficiency were previously too low, the pendulum has swung too dramatically in the other direction."

"While we anticipate an initial drop in the number of students reported as 'Proficient,' we are confident that ongoing school improvement and student support measures will provide an appropriate and significant response to the scoring changes," Johnston said.

MEAP reading

Here's a look, grade by grade, at the percentage of students testing proficient or advanced in the reading portion of the test.


Grade 2011 2010 Percent Change Huron Valley
3 72.7
71.7
1.3
Michigan 3 62.4 63.2
-0.8
Huron Valley 4 74.7
69.1
8.1
Michigan 4 67.7
63.5
4.2
Huron Valley 5 78.4
74.2
5.6
Michigan 5 68.8
65.3
3.5
Huron Valley 6 76.9
73.2
5.05
Michigan 6 67
63.2
3.8
Huron Valley 7 70.1
71.6
-2.09
Michigan 7 59.7
55.6
4.1
Huron Valley 8 74.2
64.3
15.3
Michigan 8 60.5
56
4.5

MEAP math

Here's a look, grade by grade, at the percentage of students testing proficient or advanced in the math portion of the test.


Grade 2011 2010 Percent Change Huron Valley 3 51.5
49.3
4.4
Michigan 3
36.3 34.9 1.4
Huron Valley 4 53.1
55.4
-4.1
Michigan 4 39.9 39.6 .3
Huron Valley 5 54.7
53.9
1.4
Michigan 5 39.6 38.5 1.1
Huron Valley 6 55.7
53.8
3.5
Michigan 6 37.1 36.2 0.9
Huron Valley 7 56
54.8
2.1
Michigan 7 37.2 35.9 1.3
Huron Valley 8 54.9
47.1
16.5
Michigan 8 29.4 28.9 0.5

MEAP writing

Here's a look, grade by grade, at the percentage of students testing proficient or advanced in the writing portion of the test.


Grade 2011 2010 Percent Change Huron Valley 4 52.5 53.8 -2.4
Michigan 4 44.5 47.2 -2.7
Huron Valley 7 59.4 58.3 1.8
Michigan 7 47.3 47.8 -0.5

MEAP science

Here's a look, grade by grade, at the percentage of students testing proficient or advanced in the science portion of the test.


Grade 2011 2010 Percent Change Huron Valley 5 17.8 20.7
-14
Michigan 5 15.3
17.4 -2.1
Huron Valley 8 32.3
23.6
36.8
Michigan 8 16.5 14.9 1.6

MEAP social studies

Here's a look, grade by grade, at the percentage of students testing proficient or advanced in the social studies portion of the test.


Grade 2011 2010 Percent Change Huron Valley 6 28.5 37
-22.9
Michigan 6 27.7 28.1 -0.4
Huron Valley 9 43
53.1
-19
Michigan 9 28.7 33.2 -4.5

Source: Michigan Department of Education


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