Chelsea's 2012 MEAP Results Show Overall Gains

Students at Chelsea School District continue to outperform the state in all subjects, according to the recently-released results of the 2012 Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) test.

During the MEAP exam, taken during fall 2012, public school students in grades 3-9 were tested in math, reading, writing, social studies and/or science depending on the grade level.

Across Michigan, students showed improvement in reading, math and writing in 2012, with the improvement seen in all grades and most demographic groups.

In Chelsea, all of the district's buildings saw improvement in some areas. The largest area of growth was at Beach Middle School. Fifth grade math students saw a seven percent increase in proficiency, and a five percent increase in reading.

New scores demonstrate students, teachers 'rising to the challenge' of new standards

Across Michigan, students made the biggest jump on the 2012 MEAP in reading proficiency for third and eighth graders — with a 4.1 and 5.2 percent gain, respectively. Proficiency in math and writing also grew, with a 6.1 percent gain in fifth grade math.

Meanwhile, science scores dropped across the state in 2012, particularly in fifth and eighth grade.

"These gains demonstrate (that) Michigan's teachers and students are rising to the challenge of the rigorous standards established last year," said State Superintendent Mike Flanagan in a statement. "I am encouraged by the progress we are making in Michigan and look forward to the continued efforts to help all students achieve at a higher level in all subjects."

Scores across Michigan took a hit in 2011 after the state implemented a new set of cut scores — scores that define the cut-off point for the various levels of proficiency on the MEAP: advanced, proficient, partially proficient and not proficient.

Chelsea's scores up in reading and writing

For the 2012 MEAP, Chelsea showed improvement in many areas. Reading scores were up across the district. Fourth graders improved their reading proficiency from 78.3 percent in 2011 to 83 percent in 2012. Sixth grade students also saw a seven point increase in reading from 77 percent proficiency to 85 percent in 2012. Sixth grade students also improved 10 percentage points in social studies proficiency.

A complete searchable database of scores is available on Chelsea Patch.

Fall 2012 MEAP scores

Percentage of all Chelsea students who met or exceeded state standards, as compared with those same percentages in 2011.

Grade 3

Grade 4

Grade 5

Grade 6

Grade 7

Grade 8

Grade 9