The 2016 statewide test results for the M-STEP exam were released this morning and Michigan education officials, predictably, tried to put a happy face on the dismal results.

The press release issued by the state Department of Education called the assessments a “multiple success,” with gains among nearly two-thirds of the grades and subjects tested.

“The Spring 2016 results show scores are improving,” declared State Superintendent Brian Whiston.

Except that the improvements reflect comparisons to particularly poor results on the 2015 M-STEP, which replaced the MEAP standardized test. The 2014 scores on the MME exam were no better. In fact, here is what the newest scores show:

In social studies, less than half of the students tested (5th, 8th and 11th graders) received a passing grade of “proficient or above.” Among 5th graders, 18.9 percent scored proficient or better.

In math, less than half (3rd through 8th grade were tested) passed the test. Just 32.7 percent of 8th graders were proficient or above.

In science, less than half (5th, 8th and 11th ) reached the proficiency level. The Education Department points out that the 4th graders did show improvement — from 12.7 percent proficient in 2015 to 14.7 percent in 2016.

In English language arts, the scores (for 3rd through 8th grade) showed less than half made the cut, with the exception of the 5th grade, where 50.6 percent were proficient or above.

The department also released results from the SAT college entrance exam, which is taken by high school juniors. The results were equally grim in the math section of the test as the scores showed that only 36.9 percent are college-ready.

In typical Pollyanna fashion, educators respond to numbers like these that are damning to the entire K-12 system by predicting that Michigan will soon have some of the best schools in the nation.

“While we can celebrate our successes, our work continues with improving reading skills for our youngest learners,” Whiston said. “To make Michigan a Top 10 education state in 10 years, we need to provide the focused supports and resources to help schools, teachers, and every child learn to read by the third grade.”

Celebrate? This guy sounds like he’s on the campaign stump, making a sales pitch while running for office.

 

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