Results from the state’s standardized test showed a slightly higher percentage of students are passing 14 of the 20 testing categories, but that 61.1 percent of third graders are either only partially proficient or not proficient in reading.
Math, science and social studies proficiency scores for the M-STEP test showed marginal improvement. However, State Superintendent Michael Rice concurred that English Language Arts (ELA) scores in grades three and four “remain a concern.”
In pure percentages, 38.9 percent of the 101,069 third graders that took the M-STEP test scored in the advanced or proficient category, while 61.1 percent were in the partially or not proficient category. Fourth grade saw 42.4 percent of the 98,753 students score advanced or proficient and 57.6 percent scored in the partially or not proficient category.
Rice said he believes that once the early literacy and dyslexia laws are fully implemented, the state will see better reading scores. He used Wednesday’s results to push for lower class sizes in high-poverty K-3 classrooms, more in-person instructional time, more research-based funding, early literacy materials and more.
Business Leaders for Michigan President and CEO Jeff Donofrio had a different take.
“Here’s what today’s test results mean: if you walk into a third-grade classroom in Michigan, six out of 10 children in that room cannot read proficiently,” he said. “It highlights how dramatically Michigan’s kids, teachers and parents are being let down by our state’s education system.
“Just throwing more money at the problem or pointing fingers won’t solve anything. We need leaders committed to setting clear goals, implementing proven models and bringing together those who aren’t satisfied with the status quo to do better by our kids.”
Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Lawton) cited these statistics as a failure of both Democrats and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
“Providing our children with a quality education is one of the most important things we do so they can make it in Michigan. We must change course quickly before an entire generation gets left behind,” Nesbitt said.
EdTrust-Midwest Senior Director of Strategic Communications and External Relations Jennifer Mrozowski used the same statistics to push lawmakers to increase the School Aid budget.
“Today’s M-STEP results should be a wakeup call to policymakers that they should urgently prioritize support for our students and schools,” Mrozowski said.
M-STEP data sets a baseline that can be used to show the year-by-year improvement or slippage of a student cohort. When viewed through this lens, English language scores are improving. Five of the seven English and math grade-levels saw improvement.
ELA proficiency rates for grades 5-7 in 2025 were the highest in the last three years. Math proficiency rates in grades 4-7 were also the highest in the last three years.
State Board of Education President Pamela Pugh also cited the M-STEP results in asking the Legislature to mandate Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling training, which is something the board had been pushing.
“Even with record-highs in graduation rates and gains in Advanced Placement success, Career and Technical Education completion, and dual enrollment, today’s M-STEP results underscore an urgent truth: Too many Michigan students are still not getting what they need to succeed,” Pugh said.
Article courtesy MIRS News for SBAM’s Lansing Watchdog newsletter
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