foolmenot.comIn the 60’s and 70’s Democrats used social promotion and lowering expectations in secondary education. Republicans went along with them because they are too weak to be strong… Now the results of that idiotic mindset has come back to haunt all of us and since the voting public acknowledges it, the Democrats are going in the other direction with Republicans clinging to their coat tails. Below is what Democrat Jennifer Granholm said…
"We believed that if we raised the bar in education and expected more of our teachers and students, they would meet and exceed our expectations," Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm said in a written statement. "These results show that we were right — higher standards will lead to higher achievement for Michigan students."
She can’t even wait until the ink is dry, never mind the program hasn’t started yet! This is almost a “Hillary moment”!
There is a lot more to watch in Michigan this election cycle regarding Republicans lapping up after Democrats. Stay tuned…
Full article follows…
Students improve on MEAP testing
State and local education officials say the results of the 2005 Michigan Educational Assessment Program tests are encouraging.
Results for MEAP tests taken by elementary and middle school students, grades 3 through 8, in the fall of 2005 were released Thursday. The Michigan Department of Education said it appears students are adjusting to recently adopted tougher curriculum standards.
Local schools performed above state averages in most areas, with some falling below state averages in the math and writing categories.
"We believed that if we raised the bar in education and expected more of our teachers and students, they would meet and exceed our expectations," Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm said in a written statement. "These results show that we were right — higher standards will lead to higher achievement for Michigan students."
These results reflect the first year that students in grades 3 through 8 were assessed in both math and English, in accordance with the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Michigan's third- and sixth-graders had not taken MEAP tests in recent years.
Nearly 1 million Michigan students were tested, roughly double the number from last school year.
Battle Creek Public Schools improved in every area, and that's good news to Kathy Griffey, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction.
"The test is one tool that we use to assess student learning," Griffey said. "We use it to tell us what students have learned and if we need to look deeper in any areas that need improvement."
Changes in content and student performance expectations — as well as an earlier testing period this school year — make it "inappropriate" to compare this year's MEAP results to last school year, the Michigan Department of Education said.
"The state did some re-leveling of standards so it was hard for us to know how we did compared to last year. That's the frustrating part," said Karen Hart, assistant superintendent for instruction at Lakeview School District. "Instead we must compare how we did against the state; from that angle we are very pleased."
Lakeview beat state averages in all areas except math.
"Math is an area that we are focusing on more and that is a challenge because we are now teaching higher level math to younger grades," Hart said. "Next year will be a better reflection of the results that we will achieve through new math programs we put in place this year."
Michael Nauss, assistant superintendent for Harper Creek Community Schools, said he is pleased with the overall MEAP scores in his district, though he had not yet reviewed them thoroughly.
"There's a lot of good to celebrate, and there's a lot of stuff to keep working on and areas that need to be nurtured and developed," Nauss said. "We are proud of our students and staff."
The change in MEAP standards, Nauss said, has created a "moving target" when tracking academic progress, but he said, "we are always actively working where the target is leading us."
Kathy Grosso, executive director of Battle Area Catholic Schools, did not immediately return calls.
Ed terSteeg, director of instruction for Pennfield Schools, said he was thrilled Pennfield had excellent scores in grades 7 and 8 in writing, with scores well above state averages. However, third-grade writing scores were lower than the state average.
terSteeg said he will meet with curriculum chairs to assess MEAP results and look into areas of improvement.
Stephanie Antonian Rutherford is a general assignment reporter. She can be reached at 966-0665 or srutherford@battlecr.gannett.com. Health and features reporter Anthony Martinez-Beven and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Originally published March 10, 2006