# Michigan third-grade reading scores hit 12-year low as M-STEP results released

LANSING, Mich. -- The Michigan Department of Education released state standardized test results on Friday, and the numbers tell a troubling story about reading proficiency in the state's schools.

Third-grade English Language Arts proficiency fell to 38.2 percent in the 2026 Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress, down from 38.9 percent the previous year. It is the lowest third graders have scored in the 12-year history of the exam, according to results released by the state. Students took the tests in spring 2026.

Reading scores decline across multiple grades

The slide in third-grade scores is part of a broader pattern. Fourth through seventh grade reading scores are also down from the previous year. A Chalkbeat analysis of M-STEP and PSAT 8/9 tests found that just 44 percent of students in grades 3 through 8 are proficient in reading.

In math, only 35.5 percent of students in grades 3 through 8 are proficient. Most proficiency rates moved less than one percentage point, which the department acknowledged in a news release.

"Most proficiency rates are essentially flat when compared to 2025 results on the tests, with the rates on all except four of 20 tests staying within 2 percentage points of the numbers in 2025 and most staying within a percentage point," the department said in a statement.

Superintendent: "Not where we want them to be"

State Superintendent Glenn Maleyko, who took over the Michigan Department of Education in December, called the results disappointing.

"We need to improve the results of all these assessments for our students moving forward," Maleyko said. "Michigan proficiency rates are not where we want them to be. We must increase proficiency rates in all subjects and areas, and in all grades. And we must do this over time, showing steady improvement in all areas."

This is the first M-STEP release since Maleyko assumed his role at the department.

Mixed results by subject and grade

The data shows a mixed picture across subjects and grade levels:

  • Math proficiency is up in third and sixth grades compared with last year, down in fifth grade and flat in fourth and seventh grades.
  • Fifth grade science and social studies proficiency is down.
  • Eighth graders improved their proficiency in social studies but results dropped in science.
  • In the 11th grade, science and social studies proficiency is up, but performance is down in reading and math.

Detroit and Grand Rapids show gains

Detroit Public Schools Community District, the state's largest district, saw gains in both reading and math. In third grade, 14.1 percent of students are proficient in reading, up from 12.9 percent the previous year. In math, 20.1 percent are proficient, up from 15.7 percent.

In Grand Rapids, third-grade reading made a slight gain from 19.6 percent to 20.1 percent. Math increased from 19.6 percent to 23.5 percent.

Lansing School District saw gains in reading proficiency in third, fourth, fifth and sixth grades, but proficiency declined in seventh and eighth grades.

Literacy laws still ramping up

The results arrive at a critical moment for Michigan education policy. These are the last state test scores released before term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer leaves office. She has said literacy is her number one priority in her final year.

Maleyko emphasized that laws aimed at improving literacy are not fully in effect yet. He said the Legislature, governor, State Board of Education, and educators need to work together to improve outcomes.

Key upcoming changes include:

  • A requirement that school districts use evidence-based reading instruction and screen students for characteristics of dyslexia by the 2027-2028 school year.
  • A new law signed this summer requiring elementary teachers to complete science of reading training by the 2031-2032 school year. Some districts will receive state help as they work to fully train their teachers.
  • Funding for literacy coaches, vetted curriculum, and teacher training.
  • A provision that if a district uses a literacy curriculum not from a state-vetted list and fails to inform parents, the district loses its state funding.

The department also plans to release the "Michigan Mathematics Framework" this fall that will include a shared vision for mathematics learning, evidence-based curriculum, instruction, and assessment, and coordinated systems for mathematics. MDE is also creating a committee focused on STEM.

Test scores are only one measure

While department officials emphasize the need to improve literacy, they caution that state test scores are only one way to measure student achievement.

Delsa Chapman, a deputy superintendent at MDE, told Bridge Michigan that "if a student is not proficient or partially proficient, that does not mean that the student cannot read."

"On that one test in time, their demonstration of mastering the standards is determined through a proficiency rating. But that absolutely, again, does not state or say that the student cannot read or cannot do mathematics."

What to know about testing in Michigan

Third through seventh graders in public schools throughout the state take the English language arts and math test. Fifth grade students also take a science and social studies test. Eighth grade students take the PSAT 8/9 test for English language arts and math and the M-STEP for science and social studies. Ninth graders take the PSAT 8/9 while 10th graders take the PSAT 10. In 11th grade, students take the SAT, WIN Readiness Assessment, and science and social studies M-STEP. Some students with disabilities take the MI-Access tests instead of the other tests.

With the 2026 gubernatorial race between Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Republican U.S. Rep. John James heating up, education policy is expected to be a key issue. Voters will decide who takes over the governor's office, and with it, the next phase of Michigan's push to improve student outcomes.