Oxford students are getting better at math and writing, but dropped slightly in reading, according to results released last week from the Michigan Education Assessment Program (MEAP) test from fall 2007.
The most amazing score increase was in seventh grade writing, which jumped 25 percent from fall of 2006.
Another high point was Leonard and Clear Lake elementaries, who both saw 100 percent proficiency in math in third and fourth grades, respectively.
‘We are continuing our focus on math and writing as the scores may be up overall, but we’re still not satisfied with where they are,? said Jim Schwarz, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum for Oxford Schools. ‘These two subjects are also the gateway to success in other subjects and in succeeding to the next level within any academic subject.?
Both the middle and high school’s scores were above the county and state average, except for eighth grade reading, which fell 3 percent behind the county average.
Reading scores dropped slightly in all grades except for fourth grade, which increased 3.1 percent from 2006.
Schwarz attributes the drop to the state changing the ‘cut scores as to what is considered proficient for students.?
‘They have also placed more emphasis on informational reading as opposed to narrative reading, which has been commonplace in the past,? he said.
Administrators were most concerned with Leonard Elementary students scoring a 38 percent proficiency in writing, which was the lowest score in the district and 17 percent lower than the county average. However, it was an increase of 2 percent from the 2006 test.
‘Although we may have seen some gains in writing, we certainly aren’t satisfied with where we are at,? Schwarz said, noting that ‘intense? third grade staff development in the Lucy Calkins model of writing will make a difference in writing scores next year.
These results from the test combine the Level 1 and 2 scores for a Mastery score.
The percentages equal the number of students who exceeded or met Michigan standards.

Oxford’s Fall 2007 MEAP scores
Third grade:
?93 percent in reading
?98 percent in math
?67 percent in writing
?92 percent in English
Fourth grade:
?95 percent in reading
?96 percent in math
?54 percent in writing
?88 percent in English
Fifth grade:
?89 percent in reading
?89 percent in math
?66 percent in writing
?92 percent in science
?84 percent in English
Sixth grade:
?86 percent in reading
?83 percent in math
?84 percent in writing
?90 percent in social studies
?86 percent in English
Seventh grade:
?85 percent in reading
?81 percent in math
?89 percent in writing
?86 percent in English
Eighth grade:
?79 percent in reading
?81 percent in math
?77 percent in writing
?89 percent in science
?81 percent in English
Ninth grade:
?84 percent in social studies
* Please note the percentages are rounded up.