Statewide results from the first Merit Exam were released last week.
According to the Michigan Department of Education, the Merit Exam, which was mandatory for all high school juniors, replaced the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) used in years past. A state law dictated the change.
The MME was comprised of the ACT, a national college readiness assessment; WorkKeys, a nationally work skills assessment; and some additional test items that ‘cover Michigan curriculum standards? but are not part of any national test.
Students received a total score for the MME, as well as a score for their ACT.
According to Lake Orion Schools Assessment Consultant Linda Glowaz, Lake Orion schools are above both county and state averages.
While it is not possible to compare exactly the MME scores with past MEAP scores as it’s a new and different test, Lake Orion MME scores show Orion falling in place in regards to other districts that MEAP scores have shown in the past.
‘We’ve maintained our position as we have in the past in every subject,? Glowaz said at last week’s school board meeting. ‘We’re staying ahead of the average.?
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ACT composite score averages across the county*
Statewide 18.79
Bloomfield Hills 23.93
Birmingham 23.07
Troy 22.31
Rochester 22.11
Lake Orion 20.55
Clarkston 20.52
Oxford 20.07
Brandon 19.79
Avondale 18.73
Waterford 18.19
Pontiac 14.67
*All scores from www.michigan.gov/mde
An important note regarding the ACT:
According to Glowaz, this is the first year that every (junior) has had to take the ACT. In previous years, it was a self-selected initiative, typically only taking by students looking to apply for college.
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For a subject breakdown of the MME, see this week’s hardcopy issue and return next week for a special editorial on Orion’s results.