Rochester Scores on 2013 Michigan Merit Exam Exceed State Averages

Rochester Community Schools' scores from the 2013 Michigan Merit Exam (MME) didn't vary much from 2012, but 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 Rochester 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 little recovery 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."

While Adams High School saw the steepest drops from 2012 to 2013, it remained the district's highest-achieving high school in all five subjects tested.

Reading scores dropped districtwide from 74 percent proficient in 2012 to 70 percent this year. Adams High School saw the biggest drop, falling from 84 percent proficient in 2012 to 74 percent in 2013. Rochester High School fell slightly in reading, from 69 to 66 percent proficient. Stoney Creek held steady at 73 percent proficient between 2012 and 2013.

Writing scores districtwide held steady, with 72 percent of students proficient. Rochester High School improved its writing scores, with 67 percent proficient, up from 63 percent last year. Adams High School, however, dropped from 84 percent proficient to 78 percent. Stoney Creek held steady at 74 percent proficient both years.

Scores dipped districtwide by four points in social studies, dropping from 63 percent proficient in 2012 to 59 percent proficient in 2013. Stoney Creek fell from 63 percent proficient in 2012 to 61 percent in 2013. Rochester High School fell from 60 to 56 percent and Adams fell from 70 to 63 percent.

The district dropped one percentage point in math, with Adams falling from 75 percent to 64 percent proficient. Stoney Creek boosted its math score with 63 percent proficient, up from 57 percent in 2012. Rochester High School held steady at 48 percent proficient.

The only area where Rochester Community Schools saw a districtwide increase in scores was science, where it gained a percentage point in 2013 with 46 percent, up from 45 percent in 2012. Stoney Creek scored 51 percent proficient in 2013, up from 45 percent in 2012, while Rochester High School also saw a six-point increase with 41 percent, up from 35 percent in 2012. Adams dropped seven points, from 59 percent in 2012 to 52 percent in 2013.

The ACT average, while higher than the state average of 19.7, dropped slightly to 22.6, down from 22.8 in 2013. Rochester High School held steady at 21.7 both years; Stoney Creek increased from 22.7 to 23 and Adams fell from 24.5 to 23.8.

Rochester Community Schools' Alternative Center for Education, or ACE, increased in nearly all areas in 2013. Math increased from 5 to 9 percent proficient, reading jumped from 30 to 46 percent, science dropped from 10 to 9 percent, writing increased from 20 to 34 percent and social studies jumped from 18 to 26 percent. The school's ACT scores also increased from 17.3 to 18.

Avondale High School, which draws students from Rochester and Rochester Hills, saw its scores fall in most areas but increased in math, where 35 percent scored proficient—up from 34 percent in 2012. Reading scores fell from 63 to 55 percent, science scores decreased from 34 to 26 percent proficient, writing scores dropped four points from 52 to 48 percent and social studies scores fell from 46 percent in 2012 to 41 percent in 2013. Avondale High School's ACT scores dropped slightly, from 20.6 to 20.2.

Rochester Community Schools Scores (percent proficient, districtwide)

Math: 

• 2013 - 57% 
  
• 2012 - 58%
  

Science: 

• 2013 - 46% 
  
• 2012 - 45%

Reading: 

• 2013 - 70% 
  
• 2012 - 74%

Writing: 

• 2013 - 72% 
  
• 2012 - 72%

Social Studies: 

• 2013 - 59%  
  
• 2012 - 63% 

Rochester Community Schools ACT Average

2012: 22.8

2013: 22.6

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.