reading exercises on a classroom bulletin board
Michigan students’ English language arts scores dipped on the state’s spring standardized tests. In third grade, just 38.2% of students are proficient. (Annie Barker for Bridge Michigan)
Bridge Michigan
Chalkbeat Detroit
This story also appeared in Bridge Michigan and Chalkbeat Detroit
  • Michigan reading scores are down across grades 3-7
  • Use the tool to look up your local district test scores
  • Students take the tests in the spring

Michigan third grade reading scores dipped further in the most recent standardized tests. 

Just 38.2% of third grade students in Michigan are proficient in English Language Arts, down from 38.9% the previous year, according to results released Friday from the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress, commonly known as the M-STEP. Students took the tests in spring 2026.

Third through seventh graders in public schools throughout the state take the English language arts and math test. Use this tool to look up ELA and math scores.

Eighth grade students take the PSAT 8/9 test for English language arts and math and the M-STEP for science and social studies. 

Related:

In 11th grade, students take the SAT, WIN Readiness Assessment and science and social studies M-STEP. 

Use this tool to look up your local district’s SAT scores. 

Isabel Lohman reports on early childhood, K-12 and higher education for Bridge Michigan, tracking how policies made in Lansing affect students and educators. She has closely reported on literacy, absenteeism...