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Listen Tuesdays at 6:45 and 8:45 a.m. on 90.5 WKAR-FMAccording to the Kids Count report of April 2018, 56% of third graders in Michigan are not proficient in English Language Arts. At the same time, some new public school teachers in Michigan are leaving the classroom because they do not earn enough money for a decent living. Virtual and charter schools are on the rise in Michigan. And in some communities there are breakthroughs in raising better readers.Covering education in Michigan is complex, but WKAR is committed to reporting on the problems, searching for solutions, and holding leaders accountable.Listen for Making The Grade in Michigan with WKAR education reporter Kevin Lavery every Tuesday at 6:45 and 8:45 a.m. on 90.5 WKAR-FM's Morning Edition.

Michigan Reading Scores Up Slightly In 3rd & 4th Grades

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Michigan is reporting slight improvement by third- and fourth-graders on the state's standardized reading test.

The gains are among only a few highlights in what otherwise are disappointing results released Wednesday.

M-STEP scores from this past spring rose in six of the 18 subject areas tested in grades 3-8 and 11, yet dropped in 11 subject areas.

Fewer than half of all students tested were proficient in English language arts.

The portion of third-graders deemed proficient increased to 44.4 percent from 44.1 percent.

Interim State Superintendent Sheila Alles says third- and fourth-graders are benefiting from increased spending on early childhood programs in recent years.

She says "more works needs to be done" on English language arts in upper grades and in math and social studies overall.

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