Almost two-thirds of the school districts in Calhoun County performed on par with or better than statewide averages on a math test administered in the fall of 2007, according to an Enquirer analysis of results released Tuesday. Of 15 districts reviewed in the county, nine either met or surpassed the statewide average math scores in at least three of the six grades that took the test in October. Of the other six, Albion Public Schools and Battle Creek Public Schools didn't exceed the state average in any of the six grade levels. Tekonsha Public Schools and Arbor Academy in Battle Creek exceeded in one grade level while Lakeview School District and Marshall Academy exceeded in two.

Officials at several local schools could not be reached Tuesday afternoon. Math was one of four subjects tested in October of kids in grades 3 through 8, who also took reading, writing and language arts tests. There also was a ninth-grade social studies test. Marshall Public Schools met or exceeded state averages in five of the six grades tested. Marshall Superintendent Joyce Phillips said the district has improved curriculum and invested in its math program in recent years. "We have made a concentrated effort over the past three years to align our mathematics curriculum K through 12," she said.

In 2007 the school board approved a $100,000 purchase of math textbooks for use in all district classrooms. "If we can see this much strength now ... I'm excited about what 2008 will mean for our students," she added. "Next, we will have to ask ourselves what are we doing that's working well, and what do we need to change to make it work better?"

Statewide, math scores for 2007 improved from 2006 in every grade tested except fifth grade, which had a slight decline. The best results came in third grade, where 90 percent of students tested at or above proficient levels. Scores tended to dip at higher grade levels. "Our performance in the early grades indicates that when we are clear about what we want students to learn, they can reach the high goals we've set for them," Gov. Jennifer Granholm said in a statement. "But we need to keep pushing until students at all grade levels are demonstrating world class achievement."

Results in other subject areas were more mixed. Reading scores slipped slightly in grades 3 through 6, with a steeper decline for seventh graders. Scores for eighth-graders improved slightly. Writing scores improved for more than half the grade levels tested. That left combined scores for English language arts mixed, with at least 74 percent scoring proficient or better at every grade level tested. Science scores improved in eighth grade, but declined in fifth grade. Social studies scores declined slightly in both sixth and ninth grades.

State officials said scores in other areas should improve just as the math scores have as new grade level content expectations take hold. "We expect to see similar gains in science and social studies as the new standards begin to be implemented in every classroom across the state," State Board of Education President Kathleen Straus said in a statement. MEAP scores are a major factor in whether individual Michigan schools meet the adequate yearly progress goals outlined in the federal No Child Left Behind law.

The Associated Press and Enquirer staff writer Darby Prater contributed to this report. Eric J. Greene can be reached at 966-0687 or egreene@battlecr.gannett.com.