The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
MEAP results show weakness in mathematics
New format set for meetings
By Kathleen Conat, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: October 4, 2007
The Ypsilanti Public Schools Board of Education implemented its new meeting format last week by turning the second meeting of the month into a work session. During the session, the trustees heard two presentations by Executive Director of Education Services Richard Weigel on student achievement.
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Weigel gave an assessment of the district's past test scores over the past five years that showed achievement trends and weaknesses. He then outlined what changes were already in place and what changes will be integrated into the system over the next three years.
Michigan Education Assessment Program tests results for third through eighth grade in 2006 and results from the new Michigan Merit Examination given in the 11th grade were examined. The assessment tests show the lowest scores in most grades were usually in math.
For the graduating class of 2007, 36 percent of the students met or exceeded the MEAP criteria for math. Weigel noted that meant 63 percent of the class had left the school without meeting the criteria.
Weigel said the district has put several changes in place in the two years he has been with it. Partnerships with Eastern Michigan University, the University of Michigan and Washtenaw Community College have been implemented. Students also have in-school, after-school, Saturday school and summer school options for catching up.
In addition, Weigel is working on attendance guidelines, consistent grading among teachers, improving parent participation and support for the MME and ACT testing. He is also writing new guidelines for teacher evaluation.
Weigel also showed the results of the Advanced Placement testing, taken by students who have taken AP courses, for the past six years. Advanced Placement courses have been offered in Biology, Calculus, Chemistry and English in past years.
AP tests are graded on a scale of 1-5. A score of 3 or better is required to pass. The data showed that of students taking the test for the 2006-2007 school year, 2.38 percent of the AP Biology students passed, 14.29 percent of the chemistry students passed and 10 percent of the English students passed. In calculus, no student achieved a passing score.
Weigel said in recent years students taking the humanities class, an advanced or high-level class, had been taking the test. It will continue as a high-level class, but not as an AP class. The district will pay for humanities students who want to take the test, just as it pays for students of approved AP classes to take the test.
Weigel said the College Board and Advanced Placement Program have changed the guidelines, requiring teachers teach an approved Advanced Placement curriculum.
This year, teacher Nina Davis became trained and certified and is teaching an AP English class. In addition, teacher Max Mullins was trained and certified to teach AP Chemistry, while teacher Stephen MacGregor had changed his syllabus and will continue teaching AP Calculus. Currently, there is no AP Biology course, although Weigel hopes to have that in place for next year.
Also, the school is attempting to attract more minority students to the AP classes.
Kathleen Conat is a longtime Ypsilanti resident and freelance writer for The Courier. She can be reached through editor@ypsilanticourier.com.
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