As school districts continue the struggle to make ‘annual yearly progress? in student test scores, some wonder when the state of Michigan will make progress in accurately reporting those scores.
Last week’s release of high school scores in the Michigan Educational Assessment Program was hailed by state officials, who believe students are increasing in their proficient knowledge of math, reading, science, social studies, writing and in a combined ‘English language arts? category.
Clarkston officials say they’re proud of scores which continue to be higher than state and county averages. They also claim, however, that state press releases fail to report variables which explain a drop in some score categories at Clarkston High School.
‘We fully expected our scores would be down some, because we went after every kid to take the test,? Principal Jan Meagher said.
According to state-release numbers for the Class of 2004, more Clarkston graduates failed to receive an ‘endorsement? in math and science than in 2003. In addition, fewer 2004 graduates ‘exceeded? state standards in math, science and writing. (See table for full results.)
Meagher said local officials have not had time to fully analyze the figures. Officials have been waiting for the results of the spring high school MEAP tests, traditionally taken by 11th graders. A state press release and the Michigan Department of Education Web site (www.michigan.gov/mde) labels the latest information as being for ?2004 graduates.?
‘I’m not sure if we have the right scores,? Meagher said.
The federal No Child Left Behind legislation, and Michigan’s Education YES program, call for at least 95 percent of all students (and all students in various subgroups based on factors such as race and disability) to be tested. Meagher said the administration took that seriously this past year, despite some students? hesitancy to participate.
‘Some don’t want to take it just for principle’s sake,? she said, but, ‘We knocked on people’s doors.?
One administrator physically took the MEAP tests to Clarkston students attending the Oakland Technical Center and waited as they completed them, Meagher said.
Ongoing revisions of the various MEAP tests, problems in state-contracted grading and reporting, and formulas used to compute the ‘annual yearly progress? have caused much conflict in recent years. Last year’s ‘failure? of CHS to meet the AYP (because of insufficient special education students taking the test) is still under appeal.
‘We have very high standards in Michigan,? Meagher said, and she supports the concept. She echoed previously voiced concerns that there is a lack of a level playing field in the No Child Left Behind program because different states use different standards to measure schools? progress.
She advocates use of tests such as the ACT college admission test to evaluate high school graduates.
‘That is truly a standardized test,? she said. ‘It has meaning for the kids.?