TRAVERSE CITY, MI (August 15, 2007) – Today the Michigan Department of Education released statewide ACT results for eleventh grade students who participated in the state’s new Michigan Merit Exam (MME). District results for the ACT portion of the Michigan Merit Exam (MME) showed TCAPS’ average composite ACT score for 899 eleventh grade students who were tested was 20. The average composite ACT score for high school juniors throughout Michigan who took the MME this spring was 18.8. Additionally, TCAPS eleventh grade student scores ranked higher across all five of the subject area tests of English, English-Writing, Math, Reading, and Science.

Students taking the new Michigan Merit Exam also completed the ACT and WorkKeys tests, as part of the MME. The ACT is a national college readiness assessment required or accepted by a vast majority of colleges in Michigan and the United States. WorkKeys is a national work skills assessment accepted by many employers.  Students’ overall MME scores were based on the complete set of items on the ACT, WorkKeys, and additional test items that cover Michigan curriculum standards that are not included on those national tests.

The ACT testing company has released national and state ACT results for the graduating Class of 2007 which reflect the best score for graduating senior students after possibly taking the test multiple times. The ACT testing company scores cannot be compared to the scores of the Michigan high school juniors who took the ACT as part of the MME this spring.

The ACT has traditionally been a test that only college-bound students have elected to pay to take. Now in Michigan, all eleventh grade students will take the ACT as part of their public education. “At TCAPS we are investing in the future success of our students and providing them with opportunities to prepare for the ACT.  In 2006-2007, eighth grade students at TCAPS’ East and West Junior High schools took the EXPLORE test and our tenth grade students took the PLAN test. These tests are geared to prepare students for the ACT and to provide assessment feedback to students, parents, teachers, and counselors for working with students,” explained Dr. Jayne Mohr, Associate Superintendent.

The success of TCAPS’ student achievement results on the ACT and in students’ academic pursuits is made possible through many caring partnerships among students, parents, staff, and our community who are working together to prepare every student for post-secondary education and lifelong learning,” Superintendent Feil emphasized.

The public will be able to view district results on the Michigan Department of Education Web site: www.michigan.gov.  Additionally, TCAPS’ District results are charted on TCAPS’ District Web site: www.tcaps.net

Contact Person:          Please contact Traverse City Area Public Schools:

Associate Superintendent, Dr. Jayne Mohr at 231-933-1776 or

Superintendent Jim Feil at 933-1725 for further information.

Note:                           Information regarding ACT trend results for TCAPS’ graduating Class of 2007 will be published in a separate press release on August 15, 2007.