Scores improve on Michigan Merit exam of high school juniors

High school students in Ann Arbor and across the state continue to improve their performance on the Michigan Merit Examination, which includes the ACT college entrance test. The percentage of students scoring in the proficient or advanced categories was at its highest level ever in four subject areas: math, science, reading, and writing, according to information from the State Department of Education.

Ann Arbor students exceeded state numbers, reporting a composite score of 23.1 on the ACT of 1,303 students tested. The state composite was 19.3 out of a possible 36.

In the MME tests, 75.5 percent of Ann Arbor students met or exceeded expectations in math, 80.3 in reading, 75.8 in science, 88.6 in social studies and 66 in writing. This compares with state scores of 50 percent in math, 65 percent in reading, 58 percent in science and 44 percent in writing. Only social studies saw a decline statewide, with 79 percent scoring proficient or advanced compared to 81 percent the previous year.

High school juniors who took the Michigan Merit Exam this past spring are the first students required to complete new, more rigorous high school graduation requirements. They include four credits each of math and English language arts; three credits each of science and social studies; two credits of world language; one credit each of health/physical education and visual/performing arts; and one online course. The two-credit world language requirement first takes effect for the graduating class of 2016.

The Michigan Merit Exam is given each March to Michigan 11th graders over a three-day period and includes an ACT writing exam, an employability skills assessment and state-developed assessments in math, science, and social studies. MME results also provide students with an opportunity to obtain college reportable ACT scores needed for admission to most colleges and universities.

Summary data about individual schools or districts is available online. From this site, click on “MME Test Results” on the left side of the screen and then select from among the following: Demographic Reports, Frequently Asked Questions, School and District Data File, School and District Summary Reports, or Statewide Results.

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