Trenton Scores Higher than State Average on Michigan Merit Exam

Trenton's 11th-graders performed better than the statewide average in all five subject areas tested on the Michigan Merit Exam, according to results released this morning by the Michigan Department of Education.

The number of proficient students at jumped from 2010 to 2011 in most subjects. More students showed proficiency in the subjects of reading, math and science, but fewer or the same as last year were proficient in writing and social studies.

The average ACT scores for the district also improved slightly since last year, and were higher than the state average.

The Michigan Merit Exam is given every March and tests students based on statewide high school standards in reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies.

The district's curriculum director and acting superintendent, Ann Deneroff, said she and her colleagues strive to be above the state average each year.

Deneroff is acting as the district's superintendent because Superintendent John Savel is on vacation and will be retiring when he returns June 30. A new superintendent will be selected from who are competing for the position.

"We had struggled in math and we increased from 2010 to 2011, and that was a result of the math department at the high school this school year," Deneroff said.

Though the district performed better than the state average, Deneroff said there is always room for improvement, until every student is proficient.

Deneroff said the slight decline in social studies was not significant, but mentioned that the district is currently looking at the entire language arts program including writing. Trenton, much like the rest of the state, has consistently scored low on writing proficiency tests.

"I wish I could give you a magical answer as to why that is true," Deneroff said. "The (writing scores) improved on the ACT, but stayed the same on the Michigan Merit Exam."

According to a release, Mike Flanagan, state superintendent of public instruction, said, “students are being challenged with greater rigor and are achieving at higher levels."

“Michigan educators are to be commended for the efforts they put in to help more students learn and succeed,” Flanagan said.