Dexter Scores on 2013 Michigan Merit Exam Exceed State Averages

Dexter scores from the 2013 Michigan Merit Exam (MME) saw improvement in nearly all subjects compared to 2012, and the district's 2013 scores, released Monday, continue to outstrip state averages.

The MME, according to the Michigan Department of Education, assesses students in the eleventh grade based on Michigan high school standards. The test includes the ACT college entrance exam, along with other state proficiency tests.

Student performance falls into one of four categories: advanced, proficient, partially proficient and not proficient. Students must score either "proficient" or "advanced" to be considered proficient in that subject.

In Dexter and across Michigan, students' scores took a hit in 2012 due to new scoring standards adopted by the Michigan Department of Education in September 2011. There was improvement shown in the 2013 scores.

The new cut scores — which went into effect for the MME and Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) in 2012 — are more rigorous than previous standards: Students now need to get roughly 65 percent of the answers correct to “pass” the state test, instead of the previous benchmark of 39 percent.

Flanagan noted that while the results continue to show a four-year upward trend in student proficiency, the MME student proficiency scores (statewide) declined slightly when compared to 2012.

“Over the past four years, more high school students are being taught challenging content and are becoming career-and college-ready. This upward trend is good news for students, educators and our state," State Superintendent, Mike Flanagan said of the 2013 scores. “While assessment score fluctuations are not unusual when comparing different classes of students, results show the need to continue the state’s strong commitment to high standards."

In Dexter, the percentage of students who scored either proficient or advanced on the 2013 MME increased in nearly every subject. The biggest increase was in science. In 2012, 49 percent of Dexter students were proficient or advanced in science; in 2013, that figure increased to 53 percent.

Scores also improved by three points in math, jumping from 52 percent proficient in 2012 to 55 percent proficient in 2013.

The only subject to see no improvement in 2013 MME Scores was in reading. In 2012, 79 percent of Dexter students tested scored proficient or higher; in 2013 that score stayed the same at 79 percent.

The ACT average increase from 22.9 in 2012 to 23.2 in 2013.

Dexter Scores (percent proficient)

Math:

• 2013 - 55%
  
• 2012 - 52%
  

Science:

• 2013 - 53%
  
• 2012 - 49%

Reading:

• 2013 - 79%
  
• 2012 - 79%

Writing:

• 2013 - 73%
  
• 2012 - 71%

Social Studies:

• 2013 - 67% 
  
• 2012 - 61%
  

Dexter ACT Average

2012: 22.9

2013: 23.2

State Scores 2013 (percent proficient)

Math:

• 29%
  

Science:

• 26%
  

Reading:

• 54%
  

Writing:

• 49%
  

Social Studies:

• 39%
  

Statewide ACT Average

2013: 19.7

All data provided by the Michigan Department of Education.