Report: MI students' proficiency down

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Gov. Rick Sndyer's budget, presented Thursday, set more money aside for schools. And a recent study indicated that if students' demonstration of proficiency is any evidence, the money may be needed.

Snyder offered a 1% increase to K-12 schools in his budget. Colleges and universities will see a 3% increase, but have to hold tuition increases to 4% or less. Community colleges would get a 3% boost.

The new study from education advocacy group Education Trust-Midwest, released Thursday, shows Michigan students have fallen behind the much of the rest of the country.

-- Read the full study, 'What Our Students Deserve' (pdf) --

When comparing Michigan students to 44 other states, since 2003, the report shows 4th-graders have moved from the middle of the pack to the bottom -- regardless of race or socioeconomic background.

Education Trust-Midwest reported  that only 40% of 4th-graders and about 30% of 8th-graders are testing at proficient levels in math.

In 2003, Michigan fourth graders placed 27th and 28th in reading and math out of 45 states. In 2011, they ranked 35th and 41st.

The figures are alarming -- but there are some questions about their accuracy. The numbers are from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, which is different from the MEAP.

The study points out that MEAP scores show 64% of 4th-graders are proficient in reading. But the national assessment shows only half those students are making the proficiency mark.

"I don't buy that. I don't believe it. I don't accept it," said Rockford Superintendent Mike Schibler.

Schibler said those numbers can't be right.

"I mean, I don't even know what they're talking about. I don't know where they got their numbers," said Schibler. "But I'll tell you what, our kids achieve at a very high level. And most of the kids achieve at a very high level."

Grand Rapids Public Schools spokesperson John Helmholdt said that he thinks the numbers are probably accurate.

"This new report, it should be an eye-opener," said Helmholdt. "There's no new surprises for us. We know what the data has said. We've been studying that."

Helmholdt said reform is needed to help improve the numbers -- but that reform must have the correct focus.

"We -- in our state and our country -- must get serious about reinvigorating our public education system," said Helmholdt. "That doesn't mean bashing on teachers and educators."