Ensure Access to Early Learning Programs
As measured by the percentage of third graders testing as proficient in reading
Why Is This Important?
Research finds that early reading proficiency is a key indicator of future academic success, economic success, and a reduction of poverty. It is also a problem for which we have a solution if we come together as a community to support early reading efforts. Part of the efforts around this goal will be to address disparities that exist in the racial/ethnic groups.
Metric Definition
The Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP) assessment is given online to students in grades 3-8 and measures current student knowledge of Michigan’s high academic standards in English language arts (ELA), mathematics, science, and social studies. This metric measures the percentage of 3rd grade M-STEP test takers who met 3rd grade content standards on the ELA section of the test.
Data source: Michigan Department of Education, Center for Educational Performance and Information
Analysis
Young students were especially impacted by the COVID pandemic, experiencing learning delays. The percentage of third graders testing proficient in reading continues to decline.
Note: Results are from spring of the year indicated. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted results for 2020 and 2021. In 2020, students did not take the M-STEP and in 2021 fewer students underwent testing and data should be used with caution and not compared to previous years.
Current Status
The Oakland County Executive and the Board of Commissioners have approved $5M in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to provide grants to support academic and social-emotional learning programs to close the learning delay experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Oakland County Out of School Time Learning and Social Emotional Supports Grant Program, administered by the United Way, awarded grant to 30 organizations with programs serving more than 11,000 children, The programs support multipurpose activities such as clubs and afterschool care, specialty programs such as coding, music, and sports, and academics such as reading or math tutoring and summer learning programs. The County has also allocated $450K to address a shortage of workers in the childcare industry by providing support to childcare workers to get the training they need to be certified for Head Start and Great Start Readiness Program classrooms.
Learn More
To learn more about the school districts throughout the county visit Oakland Schools.
For more information on M-STEP visit the Michigan Department of Education.