The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
MEAP scores improve for most subjects
MEAP scores improve, district still struggles with writing
By Christine Laughren, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: May 8, 2008
Scores for the Michigan Educational Assessment Program are improving at Lincoln Consolidated Schools but district officials say writing scores still fall short.
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Rick Shaffner, the district's executive director of curriculum, presented a review of Lincoln's 2007 MEAP scores at the District's School Board meeting Monday evening.
"Overall I am pleased with the scores," Shaffer said, reiterating the progress made at all grade levels from previous years.
A breakdown provided by the district shows third and fourth-graders increased from last year in three out of four areas tested and decreased in nothing. The fifth grade classes increased their overall English Language Arts scores by 5 percent. Finally, the middle school increased its scores in nine out of 15 areas tested.
Areas of concern for the district predominately fall under the writing category. Trouble with writing can especially be seen at the fourth grade level, where only 35.8 percent of students met or exceeded standards (see chart.)
Adequate Yearly Progress was not made at Redner Elementary and the school has been placed into Phase I of school improvement under the No Child Left Behind Act. Phase I sets in after two consecutive years of not making AYP. A Phase I school must offer school of choice and transportation to parents. The state also requires the district to create a plan for improvement.
Suggestions for improvement offered by Shaffner in the area of writing include, the continuation of overhaul to the ELA curriculum, which would institute a writing component that is consistent across buildings and grade levels.
Shaffner also suggested a summer school "targeting writing areas and students who continue to struggle and are not showing growth."
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