MEAP (Michigan Educational Assessment Program) scores, which were released on Monday, show an upward trend in Oxford, according to Dr. James Schwarz, assistant superintendent of curriculum & instruction.
‘As (the scores) pertain to the district, we are at or above state averages in all subjects and all grades, so we’re very pleased about that,? he said. ‘We are at or above the county average in all, but (five areas).?
Schwarz said they ‘dipped below the county (average)? in third-grade math, fourth-grade reading and writing, eighth-grade math and in ninth-grade social studies.
‘Overall, the scores are turning upwards when we compare it to last year’s performance,? Schwarz noted.
For a complete breakdown of Oxford’s scores, please see Page 19.
Superintendent Dr. William Skilling said how they really gauge their scores is not in comparison to the state, but to the county because Oakland County always has the highest state test scores of any county in Michigan.
‘Our goal is to be above the county averages across the board,? added Skilling. ‘We are trending upward and we hope to see that trend continue.?
Schwarz said the district does what’s known as a ‘longitudinal tracking? of students as well. This is where they look at students individual scores each year.
‘When we do those types of charting of scores, we’re seeing that individual trend and performance is going upwards, which we’re quite pleased with,? he said.
While they do take MEAP scores seriously, Schwarz said they also take them with a grain of salt because the standardized test is only one measurement when it comes to measuring students? performance.
‘MEAP happens to be a one-shot test. We look at that in addition to what else is happening in terms of district tests,? he said. ‘We have classroom assessments that are given that flush out more of those standards and benchmarks, and give more information on a student’s performance over time.?
However limited school officials feel the test is, it does provide them with information for instructional practices and school improvement planning.
‘This is valuable information for us as educators to delve into and identify trends of strengths, trends of weakness and kind of go from there,? Schwarz added.
‘As we look at the overall trending of our students we’re pleased to see that growth. However, it certainly does not make us become complacent by any means.?

How did Oxford score on the MEAP and how does it compare to state and county averages?
Third-grade math
The state proficiency average was 41 percent and the county average was 54 percent.
Oxford averaged 41.5 percent proficiency (4.3 percent advanced and 37.2 percent proficient) compared to last year’s 41.1 percent (1.5 percent advanced and 39.6 percent proficient.).
Third-grade reading
The state proficiency average was 67 percent and county 75 percent.
Oxford averaged 76.6 percent (12.8 percent advanced, 63.8 proficient) compared to last year’s 63.6 percent (7.2 percent advanced and 56.3 percent proficient).
Fourth-grade math
The state averaged 45 percent and the county 58 percent proficient.
Oxford averaged 59.1 percent proficiency (10.7 percent advanced and 48.4 proficient) compared to last year’s 55.9 percent (5.1 percent advanced and 50.8 percent proficient).
Fourth-grade reading
The state average was 68 percent and county 76 percent proficient.
Oxford averaged 73.4 percent proficiency (2.7 percent advanced and 70.7 percent proficient) compared to last year’s 71.8 percent proficiency (9.1 percent advanced and 62.6 percent proficient).
Fourth-grade writing
The state proficiency average was 47 percent and county 58 percent.
Oxford averaged 55.4 percent proficiency (12.5 percent advanced and 42.9 percent proficient) compared to last year’s 49.1 percent (6.7 percent advanced and 42.3 percent proficient).
Fifth-grade math
The state averaged 46 percent and the county 60 percent proficiency.
Oxford averaged 62.6 percent proficiency (8.3 percent advanced and 54.4 percent proficient) compared to last year’s 60.9 percent (7.5 percent advanced and 53.4 proficient).
Fifth-grade reading
The state averaged 70 percent and county 78 percent proficiency.
Oxford averaged 79.1 percent proficient (18.7 percent advanced and 60.3 percent proficient) compared to last years 79.8 percent (18.4 percent advanced and 61,3 percent proficient).
Fifth-grade science
The state averaged 13 percent and county 18 percent proficiency.
Oxford averaged 18.5 percent proficiency (7 percent advanced and 11.5 percent proficient) compared to last year’s 27.4 percent (13.9 advanced and 13.6 proficient).
Sixth-grade math
The state average was 40 percent proficiency and the county was 54 percent.
Oxford averaged 55.6 percent proficiency (8.9 percent advanced and 46.6 percent proficient) compared to last year’s 51.8 percent (3.7 percent advanced and 48.2 percent proficient.
Sixth-grade reading
The state averaged 68 percent proficiency and county 75 percent.
Oxford averaged 78.8 percent proficiency (26.5 advanced and 52.4 proficient) compared to last year’s 80.1 percent (27.1 advanced and 53 percent proficient).
Sixth-grade social studies
The state averaged 30 percent proficiency and the county 39 percent.
Oxford averaged 43 percent (5.4 percent advanced and 37.6 percent proficient) compared to last year’s 44.7 percent (8.1 advanced and 36.5 proficient).
Seventh-grade math
The state averaged 38 percent proficiency and the county 53 percent.
Oxford averaged 56.1 percent proficiency (10.4 percent advanced and 45.7 percent proficient) compared to last year’s 50.1 percent (4.4 percent advanced and 45.8 percent proficient).
Seventh-grade reading
The state average was 62 percent proficiency and the county 70 percent.
Oxford averaged 79.2 percent proficiency (25.3 percent advanced and 53.8 percent proficient compared to last year’s 71.3 percent (21.5 percent advanced and 49.9 percent proficient).
Seventh-grade writing
The state average was 52 percent proficiency and the county 61 percent.
Oxford averaged 67.3 percent proficiency (16.4 percent advanced and 50.9 percent proficient) compared to last year’s 58.1 percent (14 percent advanced and 44.1 percent proficient).
Eighth-grade math
The state averaged 33 percent proficiency and the county 46 percent.
Oxford averaged 43 percent proficiency (7.9 advanced and 35.2 proficient) compared to last year’s 41.6 percent (8.7 percent advanced and 32.8 percent proficient).
Eighth-grade reading
The state average was 66 percent proficiency and the county 73 percent.
Oxford averaged 77.1 percent proficiency (16.1 percent advanced and 60.9 percent proficient).
Eighth-grade science
In science the state average was 16 percent proficiency and the county 22 percent.
Oxford averaged 22.8 percent proficiency (3.5 percent advanced and 19.2 percent proficient) compared to last year’s 15.6 percent (2.4 percent advanced and 13.3 percent proficient).
Ninth-grade social studies
The state average was 29 percent proficiency and the county 38 percent.
Oxford averaged 34.1 percent proficiency (4 percent advanced and 30.1 percent proficient) compared to last year’s 30.5 percent (1.5 percent advanced and 29.1 percent proficient).