Student performance on tests is one way of assessing a school’s academic program.  In Michigan, one of the tools used to measure student achievement is a series of tests given to Grades 3 through 9 with the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP).

MEAP tests are based on the Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCEs) developed by Michigan educators and approved by the Michigan State Board of Education in 1995. MEAP tests are criterion-referenced and each student’s results are judged and reported against a set performance standard. If a student meets the standard, it means he/she meets expectations on the recommended state curriculum.

Each fall, students in Grades 3 - 9 participate in the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP).  Students in Grades 3 - 8 are tested in reading and math.  Students in Grades 5 and 8 also participate in the science assessment and students in Grades 6 and 9 participate in the social studies assessment.

Comparing the fall 2009 MEAP results released on March 12, 2010 to the region’s results since 2005,  the percentage of TBAISD Grades 3- 8 students scoring ‘proficient’ in reading increased at every grade level with the average 5-year percentage increase being 5% and a range of percentage increase from +1% to +10% per grade level.  In mathematics, increases ranged from + 2% to + 19% per grade level with the average increase of 9%.  Science performance increased by 1% and social studies was down by 3%.

TBAISD Superintendent Michael Hill reported, "We are pleased by these results and especially pleased that we see the most gains in reading and mathematics which are the same areas that our schools have focused their curriculum, instruction and assessment efforts on in the past several years.  The improvements realized provide strong evidence that such efforts get results.” 

Highlights of the five-county Traverse Bay region MEAP performance:

• In 2005, 78% of TBAISD 3^rd – 8^th grade students scored ‘proficient’ in math.  In 2009, 87% tested ‘proficient.’ 

• Math performance in Grades 3 – 8 has improved and the percentage of students scoring ‘proficient’ in every grade level increased from a low of +2% to a high of +19%.  The average increase of our region’s students scoring proficient in mathematics was +9%.

• Reading performance in Grades 3 – 8 has improved and the percentage of students scoring ‘proficient’ has increased from 85% in 2005 to 91% proficient in 2009.  The percentage of students scoring ‘proficient’ at each grade level increased by a low of +1% and a high of +10% per grade level.

• In 2005, 70 % of TBAISD 7^th and 8^th grade students were proficient in mathematics; in 2009, 83 % tested ‘proficient.’

• In 2005, 81% of TBAISD 7^th and 8^th grade students were proficient in reading; in 2009, 90% tested ‘proficient.’

• On all 16 assessments, the TBAISD regional performance exceeded the state performance.