Hartland Schools Surpass State Averages on 2012 MEAP Exam

Students at Hartland Consolidated Schools continue to post impressive MEAP scores in most subjects, according to the recently-released results of the 2012 Michigan Educational Assessment Program, or 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.

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However in Hartland, while there were relatively few changes from last year's scores — with improvement in some areas and dips in proficiency levels in others — fifth grade science scores look to be the district's weak spot.

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.

Hartland scores show improvement in math and reading, drop in overall fifth grade scores

For the 2012 MEAP, Hartland showed improvement in many areas. The percentage of students proficient on the ninth grade social studies test jumped from 42.1 percent in 2011 to 49 percent in 2012. 

In addition, the percentage of students proficient in fourth grade writing rose from 80.4 percent in 2011 to 86 percent in 2012 — a six percentage point leap that places Hartland far ahead of the state average, 46.7 percent.

Still, the category that took the most dramatic hit in 2012 was the proficiency level in fifth grade science. In 2011, 31.5 percent of Hartland's fifth-graders scored proficient or higher on the science MEAP exam.

In 2012, that figure dropped to 17 percent — only four percentage points higher than the state average, 13.1 percent.

Reading and math scores for Hartland fifth graders also took a slight dip with math scores dropping from 56 percent proficient on 2011 to 55.5 percent in 2012. Reading scores fell from 86.3 percent in 2011 to 80.5 percent in 2012.

Fall 2012 MEAP scores

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

To check out scores for the four individual Hartland elementary schools, click here.

Grade 3

Grade 4

Grade 5

Grade 6

Grade 7

Grade 8

Grade 9

Source: Michigan Department of Education