Recent results from the 2025 Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP) reveal a concerning decline in reading proficiency among Michigan’s youngest students.
The data, released Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, shows that 61.1% of third-graders and 57.6% of fourth-graders did not pass the annual state assessment, marking a poorer performance compared to last year.
Only 38.9% of third-graders and 42.4% of fourth-graders scored proficient on the state’s English language arts (ELA) test, a slight drop from last year’s scores of 39.6% and 43.3%, respectively.
Despite these declines, reading scores for grades 5 through 8 showed improvement, with eighth graders achieving the highest proficiency rate at 65.3%.
Math scores presented a mixed picture, with some grades showing progress while others, like third and eighth grades, experienced declines.
The M-STEP assesses students in grades 3-8 and 11 in English and math, with additional testing in science and social studies for certain grades.
State Superintendent Michael Rice emphasized the need for research-based measures to address early literacy challenges, advocating for reduced class sizes, increased instructional time, and enhanced teacher training.
The report also noted a reversal in Michigan’s declining SAT scores, with the average combined score rising from 945 in 2024 to 954 in 2025.
However, Michigan’s averages remain below national levels.
Dr. Nikolai Vitti, Superintendent of Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD), emphasizes that students are more likely to perform above grade level or be college-ready if they miss 18 or fewer days of school.
“I continue to be excited about our consistent and steady improvement in student achievement especially when considering that DPSCD continues to narrow the gap between us and state averages in all accountability areas. Last year we once again showed more improvement than the state average and we only represent 3.5% of that statewide average which means that we are doing something differently and better to raise student achievement than most school districts in Michigan. We must continue to stay focused and disciplined on the reform and accelerate the improvement. One of the best ways to accomplishment that goal is to improve student attendance. DPSCD students are 3 to 5 times more likely to be at and above grade level or college ready if they miss 18 or fewer days of school. The DPSCD blueprint for student achievement improvement is verified; we just need to continue refining it while ensuring more students attend school consistently, this will lead to greater acceleration of the progress we are seeing.”
Dr. Nikolai Vitti, Superintendent, DPSCD