The Romeo Observer - Romeo, Michigan: Northern Macomb County's weekly newspaper since 1866

Breaking News

EDWIN WERDERMAN	JOHN PELCZER
LORRAINE OSTEN-GREENIA	MARILYN KRIEWALL
MARISSA BOLLINI	MARJORIE RENNY
MAUREEN NASIEROWSKI	PAUL UERLING
RUTH McCLEARY	WITOLD BORONSKI
Browse Full Text...

» Inside

Public Notices
Links
About Us
News Stands
Subscriptions
Editorial Forms
Archives

» Deadlines

Friday, 2 pm
Inserts

Friday, Noon
Retail Display
Editorial

Monday, Noon
Classified Display
Service Directory Display

Monday, 2 pm
Service Directory Liners

Monday, 3 pm
Classified Liners

All Holiday Deadlines are One Full Workday Earlier

You are Viewing an Archived Issue

Posted: 07/11/12

Romeo fares well on
MME, ACT 2012 scores

by CHRIS GRAY
Observer Staff Writer

      Even with tougher cut scores, Romeo Community Schools is a cut above the rest in this year's Michigan Merit Examination (MME) scores.
       Scores released by the Michigan Department of Education reveal Romeo's students earning some of the highest marks on standardized tests when compared to other Macomb County school districts.
       Romeo also tied for performing the best in the county on the American College Testing (ACT) exam.
       The MME is given to 11th grade students every spring over a three-day period. This year's exam marks the first year for the state's new cut scores, which were increased to be more rigorous.
       Cut scores determine how proficient a student is in the subjects of math, reading, writing, science and social studies.
       When compared to the rest of the districts in Macomb County, Romeo earned the top percentage of students meeting or exceeding cut scores in math, reading and writing.
       Superintendent Nancy Campbell was excited to see Romeo's percentages, saying it was the result of focusing on the curriculum of those specific subjects.
       "I give my compliments to the staff and administration, but also compliment the students themselves," she said.
       Even with some of the highest scores in the county, Campbell said the district still has room for improvement.
       "The goal is to get every student over the bar, and we're not there," Campbell said.
       Romeo also tied for the highest science percentage at 30 percent. This, however, was the lowest percentage among the five subjects for Romeo.
       Campbell said the district plans to look at science as well as social studies<which decreased from last year's percentage<once teachers return in the fall.
       "Even in math, we have 38 percent of students that are proficient, so we have a long way to go because every student matters," she said.
       Romeo tied for the top ACT composite score in the county with an average score of 20.6, with Utica Community Schools earning the same average. The ACT measures the college readiness of high school students.
       Macomb County's averages on the MME improved in all five areas, and 12 of the 21 districts were above the state average in more than one subject. Despite this, the county averages were overall lower than state averages.
       Similarly, 11 districts scored higher than the state for the ACT, but the county average was lower at 19.2 when compared to the state average of 19.6.
       Statewide, the largest increases in MME percentages were seen in reading and writing, while social studies saw a decrease. The ACT composite scores statewide also saw an increase for the fourth consecutive year.