Berkley High School Aces 2013 Michigan Merit Exam

This story was written by Brooke Tajer and Leslie Ellis.

Berkley High School scores on the 2013 Michigan Merit Exam improved in every subject compared to 2012 and soared above statewide averages, according to data released Monday.

The MME assesses students in the eleventh grade each spring based on Michigan high school standards, according to the Michigan Department of Education. 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.

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 statewide 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.

State Superintendent Mike Flanagan noted that while the results continue to show a four-year upward trend in student proficiency, the statewide MME student proficiency scores 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," Flanagan said. “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."

Berkley School District Communications Supervisor Jessica Stilger explained that the district, like the state, prefers to study data over a period of 3 years or longer, which shows a broader picture of growth over time, instead of year-to-year, which compares two different groups of students.

"Different students take the exams each year, and as a three-year trend, we are seeing improvement in reading, writing, science, and social studies," Stilger said. "We have an all-district focus on achievement, which has included adjustments in the younger grades and programs to better prepare students for secondary content. 

"As a district, we have consistent professional development which often focuses on student achievement data," she added. "In addition, BHS has high course expectations, and continues to offer access for all students to high level curriculum."

The percent of Berkley High School students who scored either proficient or advanced on the 2013 MME increased in every subject. 

The biggest improvement this year was in social studies. In 2012, 43.3 percent of Berkley High School students were proficient or advanced in writing; in 2013, that figure increased to 52.2 percent.

Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Technology, Assessment, and Grants Mary Beth Fitzpatrick attributed the increase in social studies scores to the implementation of the Reading Apprenticeship Improving Secondary Education (RAISE) program.

"This secondary initiative which improves content area reading skills gives all students the tools to be successful in content reading (in all classes)," she said. "RAISE also gives secondary teachers reading instructional skills for high school students. This past year was BHS's second year using RAISE."

The ACT composite average for Berkley High School in 2013 was 21.4, up from 20.7 in 2012 and above the state composite average of 19.7 in 2013.

Berkley High School MME (percent proficient)

Math

2013: 40.3

2012: 35.4

Science

2013: 36.9

2012: 33.3

Reading

2013: 63.1

2012: 61.1

Writing

2013: 63.9

2012: 61.4

Social studies

2013: 52.2

2012: 43.3

Berkley High School ACT (average)

2013: 21.4

2012: 20.7

Statewide MME (percent proficient)

Math

2013: 28.6

2012: 29.1

Science

2013: 25.7

2012: 25.8

Reading

2013: 53.5

2012: 55.9

Writing

2013: 49.3

2012: 49.4

Social studies

2013: 38.6

2012: 40.5

Statewide ACT (average)

2013: 19.7

2012: 19.6

Source: Michigan Department of Education