Traverse City Record-Eagle

Grand Traverse County

March 13, 2010

Area MEAP scores above average

and SHERI McWHIRTER

TRAVERSE CITY -- Students in the five-county Grand Traverse region scored above the state average in all areas on standardized tests taken last fall.

In addition, third- through eighth-graders in Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District schools improved in reading and math since 2005 on the Michigan Educational Assessment Program, or MEAP, results released Friday show.

The test measured proficiency in reading, math, science and social studies for students in grades three through nine.

A writing component, typically part of the MEAP, is being redeveloped and will return next fall for fourth- and seventh-graders.

Math proficiency in the ISD increased from 78 percent in 2005 to 87 percent last fall, data show. Likewise, reading climbed from 85 percent to 91 percent in that same time frame.

The region's teachers intently worked on math and literacy, said Ty Wessell, the ISD's director of instructional services.

"We like the progress we're making," he said. "It suggests that we need to keep the focus."

Traverse City Area Public Schools students improved from last year in each subject except fifth-grade science, sixth- and eighth-grade math and ninth-grade social studies, data show.

Students also scored at or above the state in all areas.

Jame McCall, executive director of elementary and special education, said she uses the state benchmark to determine progress.

"Then you have a comparison," she said. "It certainly isn't the only thing that we monitor, because if we waited for MEAP results every year, kids would fall through the cracks."

In Mancelona, third-graders topped last year's scores in both math and reading, earning 96.8 percent and 91.9 percent, respectively, data show.

The results were mixed for other grade levels. Sixth-graders improved in both areas and seventh-graders struggled with both, scoring below last year with 82.4 percent and 78.8 percent, respectively.

"We will continue to look at those that went down and do the work we need to do to get those scores up," Superintendent Jeffery DiRosa said. "That's what we're after, continuous improvements."

One hundred percent of Elk Rapids third-graders were proficient in math, up from 97.5 in 2008, data show.

But seventh-graders' passing scores sank in both math and reading. Similarly, eighth-grade proficiency fell in math and science.

Superintendent Steve Prissel said he wants to review the results with staff and create a plan for next year.

"We'll look at whether there are areas we need to focus on next year, or if it's part of a trend across the state," he said. "We're always looking to improve."

To view searchable data by school district or individual school, visit www.michigan.gov/mde and click on the MEAP link under "Current Topics."

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