Fenton Scores Above State Averages on Michigan Merit Exam

The Michigan Department of Education has released the 2011 Michigan Merit Exam results and the Fenton school district consistently scored above state averages.

The test assesses juniors and eligible seniors based on Michigan high school standards.

students scored above state averages in every subject and improved or scored the same in every subject from 2010 to 2011, with the exception of social studies.

“We shared with them the at the beginning of the year what the 2011 class did and we asked them to do a little better because the 2011 class did a little better than the 2010 class,” Fenton High School principal Mark Suchowski said. “We had high expectations for them.”

The most impressive jump came in writing where the school scored a 57 in 2010 and a 64 in 2011.

The school also brought their ACT score average up from 20.4 to 21.3.

“It’s difficult to do and we are pleased,” Suchowski said. “We spent some time in August working with teachers in all subject areas letting them know what context was included in the ACT and they shared that with their students. We told them the test is a way to get where you want to be after high school, whether it’s college, work, the military or a combination of the three.”

Suchowski said students review ACT preparation material as freshmen and sophomores.

“They have a couple of experiences, so they know what the test is going to be like,” he said. “Then the teachers work really hard on testing day when it really counts to make sure it runs smoothly, so students are comfortable and they do well. There are no surprises on that day.”

Fenton also improved in reading (80 to 81) and science (68 to 73). The scores stayed the same in math (59) and dropped from 92 to 83 in social studies.

Here is a look at the numbers.

FENTON AREA PUBLIC SCHOOLS           

Reading  2010: 80 

Michigan Avg: 65           

Reading 2011: 81

Michigan Avg: 63

Writing 2010: 57

Michigan Avg: 44

Writing 2011: 64

Michigan Avg: 47           

Mathematics 2010: 59

Michigan Avg: 50

Mathematics 2011: 59

Michigan Avg: 52

Science 2010: 68

Michigan Avg: 58

Science 2011: 73

Michigan Avg: 61

Social Studies 2010: 92

Michigan Avg: 79

Social Studies 2011: 83

Michigan Avg: 78

ACT Average 2010: 20.4

Michigan Avg: 19.3

ACT Average 2011: 21.3           

Michigan Avg: 19.3

* All numbers are percentage proficient or advanced.