Hello Genesee County!! Good news! The results are in. 7,033 Genesee County students met or exceeded grade level standards in mathematics on the most recent iteration of the State of Michigan’s M-Step test. Cool and Hooray, right?
Except for the earth-shattering news that 18,036 Genesee County students performed below the standard for mathematics on that same State of Michigan’s M-Step test. Ouch! And need I say more?
While it’s true that some grades showed modest gains, Genesee still has 18,036 students that are behind where they need to be, in order understand what’s being taught in their math classes today.
Grade | Students Tested | % Students Who Tested Proficient | % Students Who Tested NOT Proficient |
3rd | 4,215 | 36.6% | 63.4% |
4th | 4,183 | 33.6% | 66.4% |
5th | 4,094 | 25.7% | 74.3% |
6th | 4,258 | 21.5% | 78.5% |
7th | 4,122 | 24.6% | 75.4% |
8th | 4,197 | 26.4% | 73.6% |
Total | 25,069 | 28.1% | 71.9% |
Genesee County has high hopes for attracting business investment to this area. Many ingredients go into attracting new capital investment that bring high paying jobs to any community. One of the prime requirements listed is to have a well-trained workforce to do the jobs that come along with business growth. The conclusion is inescapable, Genesee County does not have a well-trained workforce! What to do.
First, let’s recognize that there are thousands of educators in Genesee County working tirelessly to help their students learn grade level math. But here’s the catch, 72% of Genesee Co. students have skill gaps that makes learning grade level math skills difficult to impossible. Please try to imagine the frustration that these children endure sitting in classes that they are not prepared for year after year after year.
We can do better. Take a moment to answer the following question by filling in the blank
If math concept number 2 requires understanding concept number 1 then . . . (fill in the blank).
I look forward to hearing your responses. I will share my responses to this question in my next blog.