Rochester Merit, ACT Scores Well Above State Averages Again

The percentage of  high schoolers scoring at or above a "proficient" level on the Michigan Merit Exam this year was once again well above the state average in all subjects.

The scores, released Thursday, show students' strengths in all areas of the test, which 11th-graders took this spring. At , there were increases in the percentage of proficient students in all subjects over 2011. 

At and high schools, the percentage of proficient students decreased in most subjects.

The Michigan Department of Education adopted a tougher standard for passing the MME this year to better represent the number of students who are college-ready. Under the new scoring system, students had to score higher on the tests to receive a passing, or "proficient", score. Last year's scores have been adjusted to reflect the new scoring system.

On the ACT college entrance exam, Rochester students scored an average 22.8, which was unchanged from 2011 scores; the state average was 19.6.

Adams High School scored in the top 10 in the state, according to a Detroit Free Press analysis, with an average ACT score of 24.5

The following chart shows the percentage of students who scored "proficient" in test subjects, comparing 2011 to 2012.

Adams High School

Rochester High School

Source: Michigan Dept. of Education