Michigan reading scores drop again. State superintendent: ‘We need to improve’

This year, Michigan's third grade reading scores continued to decline in the state's latest standardized tests, despite ongoing efforts to enhance reading education. Only 38.2% of third graders demonstrated proficiency in English Language Arts, down from 38.9% the prior year, according to the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP) results released on Friday. The lowest third graders have scored in the exam's 12-year history.

The decline in reading scores coincides with various initiatives aimed at improving education, including the appointment of literacy coaches, optional teacher training, and a law to retain struggling third graders. State Superintendent Glenn Maleyko expressed the need for improvement in all assessments for students. Michigan's proficiency rates in all subjects and grades are not satisfactory, and steady improvement in all areas is necessary.

Math proficiency rates among students in grades 3-8 are also down from the previous year, with only 35.5% of students proficient in math. Proficiency rates for reading in grades 3-8 have moved less than one percentage point, with most staying within a single percentage point compared to 2025 results. Science and social studies proficiency rates have also shown slight declines in some grades, while improvements have been observed in others.

In some districts, such as Detroit Public Schools Community District, third grade reading proficiency has increased from 12.9% to 14.1%, while math proficiency has risen from 15.7% to 20.1%. Similarly, in Grand Rapids, third grade reading proficiency has increased slightly from 19.6% to 20.1%, while math proficiency has risen from 19.6% to 23.5%.

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is addressing these challenges by planning to release the "Michigan Mathematics Framework" this fall, which will include a shared vision for mathematics learning, evidence-based curriculum, instruction, and assessment, and coordinated systems for mathematics. Additionally, MDE is forming a committee focused on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to further improve student proficiency.