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February 16, 2012

TCAPS math scores are lagging

But most other subjects surpass statewide marks

BY JAMES RUSSELL jrussell@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — Traverse City students' math scores lag well behind state averages, but standardized test results show local students surpassed statewide marks in most other subjects.

The Michigan Department of Education released results Wednesday of the fall 2011 Michigan Educational Assessment Program, or MEAP, exams.

Math proficiency levels for Traverse City Area Public Schools' third through seventh grades ran more than 10 percentage points lower than state averages. Local fourth-grade students' writing proficiency was also slightly lower than the state average.

"We need to take a very hard look at the elementary math program," said TCAPS Superintendent Steve Cousins.

Only 25.6 percent of TCAPS third-graders met or exceeded standards in math, compared to 36.3 percent statewide. In sixth grade, 22.3 percent of TCAPS math students met or exceeded expectations, compared to 37.1 percent across Michigan.

The district's eighth-graders were the only class to exceed state math averages.

"We've got some work to do," Cousins said. "We've got some differences in performance throughout the district, and we're looking at a three-pronged approach to address that."

Cousins said TCAPS plans to add professional development courses for elementary math teachers, review math curriculum at lower-scoring schools, and offer online support materials for parents and students.

MEAP tests are taken by students in grades three through nine, although the subjects tested vary by grade.

In 2011, the state Board of Education introduced new "cut scores," or the level students need to achieve to be considered proficient. Students now need to get roughly 65 percent of answers correct to be considered proficient, rather than the previous 39 percent benchmark.

Statewide, elementary and middle school students' math and reading scores generally improved, once the state adjusted previous scores to reflect the new, tougher grading scale.

But the tougher standards are particularly evident in math scores, where less than 40 percent of students statewide rated as "proficient" on the latest exams.

Reading scores statewide showed improvement at every level except third grade.

The state said only 15.3 percent of fifth-graders statewide met or exceeded standards on the 2011 science test. In Traverse City, 19.4 percent were considered proficient.

Cousins said the district takes MEAP scores seriously, but the test is just one of many assessment tools.

"We also align curriculum with the Michigan Merit Exam and the ACT, and we've got positive trends there that are above state and national averages," Cousins said. "We don't look at the MEAP in isolation."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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