This article originally appeared in The Detroit News September 4, 2024. 

Sixty percent of Michigan’s third-graders just failed the state’s reading test. Last week the state Department of Education released the results of the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP). The results showed that only 39.6% of third-graders were rated proficient or above in the English Language Arts portion — a 10-year low. What’s more shocking is the collective shrug from political leaders and school officials.

Just how bad were this year’s scores?

Statewide, third- and fourth-graders both lost ground in reading compared to last year. Third grade is an important benchmark as it is the first time a student sits for the M-STEP. A poor foundation in reading in early grades will compromise a student’s ability to learn throughout the rest of his education. In 2024, the reading scores for grades 3-7 were all lower than pre-pandemic scores, meaning students still have not recovered from the mandatory and unnecessary closure of schools.

Math scores showed modest improvement, with grades 3-7 improving their performance from last year. But that’s not tremendously encouraging as the grades are still below pre-pandemic scores. Third-graders scored 43.4% proficient or above, with sixth-graders posting the low score of 31% proficient. In every grade tested except one, six out of ten students are not proficient.

The results are even worse in specific districts. In Detroit Public Schools Community District, only 11.7% of third-graders are proficient in reading and 15.1% are proficient in math. Among third-graders in Saginaw School District, 18.5% are proficient in reading and 19.6% in math.

This all represents a massive failure.

But you wouldn’t know it from the public statements of elected and school leaders. The day M-STEP scores came out, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer had several upbeat posts on X, talking about pre-K students and summer reading programs. A day later she bragged about the state’s education budget and free meals for students.

The Michigan lawmakers who lead education policy had nary a word of concern. Neither Rep. Matt Koleszar, chair of the House Education Committee, nor Sen. Dayna Polehanki, chair of the Senate Education Committee, issued a comment on the M-STEP scores.

Chandra Madafferi is president of the Michigan Education Association, which claims to “control the agenda” on education. Madafferi and the MEA were likewise silent.

The Michigan Department of Education commented on the results, but the press release headline was a lesson in political spin: “Michigan Students Improve on Most State Tests.”

“We are encouraged to see continued gradual improvement in proficiency levels measured on most M-STEP and SAT/PSAT tests, particularly on M-STEP math assessments,” said State Superintendent Michael F. Rice. He later added: “That said, much work remains, both instructionally and financially, for needed supports to students.”

Similarly, State Board of Education President Pamela Pugh said, “It’s nice to see progress on most assessments this year, but we want our students to continue their progress in the coming years as well.”

The first step in addressing a problem is to acknowledge it exists. If your basement is flooded you don’t console yourself that the attic is dry.

The abysmal education results come just after the state approved a $23 billion education budget. During the pandemic the federal government showered districts with cash — $6 billion in Michigan alone. According to my colleagues at the Mackinac Center, the average school district received $4,600 extra per pupil; Flint received more than $51,000 per pupil.

In 2021 Whitmer vetoed Student Opportunity Scholarships, a $500 million tuition scholarship program that would have empowered low-income families to find a school that works for them. Perhaps the public school system needs a jolt of competition to improve performance.

The adults are failing a generation of students. Is anyone upset?

Permission to reprint this blog post in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided that the author (or authors) and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy are properly cited.