The 2011 Michigan Educational
Assessment Program or MEAP test results are now out. The final scores are much lower
overall but that's because they've raised the bar. The standards are tougher.
"We were up past 90 percentiles
and now we're down to the 60th some percentiles," said Richard Weigel,
Superintendent for Niles community Schools.
But that drastic change is not because students suddenly forgot
everything they learned. "You can
immediately think wow something really happened but in reality our kids stayed
about the same," said Weigel.
What did change is how the tests are
graded. Michigan Department of Education
Spokesperson, Jan Ellis said, "Students needed about 39 to 40% of their
answers correct to be considered proficient that has now risen to in the mid
60's."
Ellis said they've made it more
difficult to be considered proficient in an effort to better prepare students
for life after high school. "Less
than 25% of our students were really career and college ready," said Ellis.
The State wants that percentage to
go way up and Michelle Asmus, Principal of Howard Ellis Elementary School in Niles agrees, "I think it was necessary we needed to
raise the bar in Michigan."
Parents haven't seen their children's
individual scores yet but one Niles
mom says she likes the changes. "I would think that's a good thing as to
that they're going to be asked to make sure they know more," said Tammy Bowman.
Folks at Niles Community Schools all
in favor of raising the bar but add MEAP scores are just part of how they
evaluate student progress.
Your student's individual MEAP score
will be sent home. But to find out how your child's
school did visit the Michigan Department of Education web site here.
