Whitmer Watch: Test scores drop for Michigan's youngest students

Michigan students continue to perform poorly on standardized testing, according to data released this week by the Michigan Department of Education.

While it found students improved performance on 14 of the 20 tests given in the spring of 2025, the youngest students again saw drops in reading proficiency.

The results of the 2025 Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress, also known as M-STEP, found that 61.1% of all third-graders scored below proficient on the state’s English language arts test. That was up slightly from 60.4% in 2024.

Fourth-graders saw a similar trend. In 2024, 56.7% of those students scored below proficient. In 2025, that increased to 57.6%.

Additionally, proficient science scores for fifth and eleventh graders also saw slight declines. As did proficient math scores for third and eighth graders.

State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice said he believes recent laws passed that will increase screening for dyslexia and prioritizes a literacy curriculum will “help substantially” to address the issue. Those laws will take effect for the 2027-2028 school year.

“It is noteworthy that in many grades, Michigan students posted the highest math and ELA proficiency rates in the last three school years,” said Rice. “At the same time, however, ELA scores in grades 3 and 4 remain a concern.”

More still needs to be done though, Rice said. That includes the legislature taking steps to lower class sizes, increasing in-person instructional time, and pushing literacy materials and training for teachers.

“These research-based measures would also help students improve their reading skills,” he said.

While the state continues to point to COVID for its effect on students’ performance, as scores continue to lag behind those pre-COVID, others argue this is a broader problem with Michigan schools.

By many metrics, Michigan students are consistently testing behind their peers in other states.

In the past year, reports have shown that public school enrollment is dropping, while chronic absenteeism is up.

In June, the 36th Kids Count Data Book ranked Michigan 44th in the nation in education, dropping three spots just in the past year.

In response to concerns over the state's schools, Republicans have called for a total overhaul of the education system in the state, sending more control back to local districts. They are looking to achieve that in their proposed education budget, which currently remains in limbo 59 days after its July 1 deadline.

Both sides of the political aisle have called for more spending per student, with the Democrats’ budget proposal raising the state’s per-student foundation allowance to $10,008. While a $400 raise over the current allowance, Republicans proposed a significantly higher raise to $12,000.

State officials say action is needed quickly though.

“Today’s M-STEP results underscore an urgent truth: too many Michigan students are still not getting what they need to succeed,” said Dr. Pamela Pugh, state Board of Education president. “We need a legislature that puts students over politics.”