Michigan ACT scores stable, DPS lags

DETROIT — High school tests scores showed mild gains statewide in 2011, but Detroit Public Schools continues to lag significantly, The Detroit News reported.

Statewide, the average ACT composite score among Michigan juniors who took the test this spring was 19.33, compared to 19.28 in 2010, according to data at the Michigan Department of Education website. Average scores rose slightly in science and math, remained steady in English and declined in reading, according to The News. A “perfect” ACT score is 36. Only 17 percent of students were determined to be “college ready” in all four subjects, The News reported.

The gap between Detroit students and the rest of the state has grown in every subject area over the past five years, according to The News. The average ACT score there was 15, The News reported. Other metro Detroit districts with below-average scores included Ecorse, River Rouge, Inkster and Pontiac, the report said.

Some of the biggest gains in the state were among Hispanic students, particularly in science and writing, according to The News.

Roy Roberts, DPS emergency manager, said the low scores show the need for the reform plan announced last week that will remove the worst performing schools from DPS control and put them into a separate, state-monitored school district, The News said.

SOURCES:
The Detroit News, “Michigan juniors’ ACT scores stable, Merit Exams show improvements,” June 29, 2011

Michigan Department of Education, “2008-2011 MME ACT Scores Sortable by ISD, District & School”

FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, “New Online Database Provides Unique ‘Context and Performance’ Information for Every Standard Michigan Public High School,” June 27, 2011