LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) -- Michigan Department of Education leaders praised improvements made by students in reading and math scores, but among third and fourth graders in both subjects, grades declined on the state M-STEP assessment, according to scores released Wednesday, Aug. 27.

42.7% of third graders scored proficient or advanced on the tests taken in the spring, a drop from 43.4% on last year's test.

State officials said students improved on 14 of 20 tests this spring, with five of seven English Language Arts (ELA) and five of seven math grade-level assessments posting gains. In many grades, ELA and math proficiency rates were the highest in the past three school years, the department said.

“It is noteworthy that in many grades, Michigan students posted the highest math and ELA prof

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