Results from the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress, or M-STEP, show only 38 percent of students in grades three to seven are proficient in math and only 44 percent of students are proficient in English language arts.
The results do show English language arts and math scores have improved compared to recent years, but the scores for social studies dropped lower than 2017-2018 test.
The Heartland Institute reports that the Detroit Public Schools Community District and Benton Harbor Area Schools have some of the lowest scores with less than 12 percent of students grading as proficient in English and language arts and less than 10 percent in math.
The scores show that only six out of 10 students are being educated to grade level in English and math.
The scores bring into question what could improve education for Michigan’s youth. Heartland Institute Policy Analyst Tim Benson wrote in a commentary that among those options are education savings account programs, or ESAs.
Benson wrote there have been favorable results for ESAs, which are state education funds given to parents to use for things like tutoring services, tuition, technology or even transportation. These accounts are restricted to transactions involving specific educational services.
"Copious empirical research covering ESAs and other school choice programs shows they offer families improved access to high-quality schools that meet their children’s unique needs and circumstance," Benson wrote. "Moreover, these programs improve access to schools that deliver quality education inexpensively. Additionally, these programs benefit public school students and taxpayers by increasing competition, decreasing segregation, and improving civic values and practices."
Benson wrote that the time is ripe for reform.
"It is time to reform Michigan’s mediocre public education system," he wrote. "Michigan families are ready for education choice. Public schools should not hold a monopoly on education. By implementing an ESA program, legislators can ensure more Michigan children have the opportunity to attend a quality school."
Alerts Sign-up