Michigan's declining youth reading scores a reason for reform? Experts weigh in

Fewer third and fourth graders are testing proficient in reading, continuing a years-long slide for Michigan's youngest readers, while sparking concern and some glimmers of hope for state politicians, education experts and school districts.

Less than 2 in 5 third graders statewide, or 38.9%, produced proficient scores on the 2025 Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress, called M-STEP, for the English language arts, down from 39.6% the year before. About 42.4% of fourth graders were proficient on the same subject matter, down from 43.3% in 2024.