© 2025 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Few Michigan Schools Get High Scores Under New State Rating System

The state Department of Education says few Michigan schools are meeting goals for overall performance.

The department released a new rating system Tuesday.

As The Michigan Public Radio Network’s Jake Neher has more.

The new system assigns each school and district a color grade of green, lime-green, yellow, orange, or red. The majority of schools got a “yellow” rating, right in the middle.

Joseph Martineau is with the Michigan Department of Education. He says that just means most schools have at least one area they need to improve on.

“Looking at just the one individual color probably doesn’t give enough information,” he says.  “You would want to try to drill down further.”

Martineau says many things could lead high-performing schools to fall into lower categories. Those include wide achievement gaps and non-academic factors like failing to test enough students.

Jake Neher is a reporter for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He covers the State Legislature and other political events in Lansing.
Together we’ve already reduced WKAR’s $1.6 million budget gap created by the loss of federal funding. With your sustaining support we can close the remaining $500,000 gap and keep trusted public media strong for mid-Michigan. The best way to support WKAR is to become a sustainer. Already a sustainer? Please consider upgrading your current monthly gift.