The Center for Charter Schools :: Central Michigan University

2011 MEAP Results

2011 MEAP Results

According to results from the 2011 MEAP tests, 43.4% of all statewide students are considered proficient compared to 33.1% of the students in the state's charter public schools, when looking at all tests and grades.

However, students in Michigan's charter public schools are significantly more likely to be "at risk" than students in traditional public schools. Based on 2011 data, 70% of students in charter public schools are eligible for free-and-reduced-price lunch compared to only 46% of students in traditional public schools; while 67% of students in charter public schools are minorities, compared to only 28% in traditional public schools.

While a great deal of attention has been focused on closing the academic achievement gap for minority students, it is important to note that African-American, Hispanic and Native American students in Michigan's charter public schools continue to outperform their statewide counterparts in traditional public schools.

The Governor John Engler Center for Charter Schools authorizes 59 schools serving more than 30,000 students. Using CEPI's longitudinal data, the Center has developed a statistical analysis which represents a charter school's student population in a proportionately-weighted average of those traditional public school districts their students would attend. This "composite resident district" analysis is the most accurate comparison to measure a charter school's performance.

Using this comparison methodology, students in CMU's charter public schools outperformed students in the traditional public school districts in which they lived on 18 of 18 MEAP tests in 2011.

In aggregate, CMU's statewide portfolio of charter schools have a 36.0% proficiency rate, compared to 25.7% proficiency for the aggregate composite resident district, a 10.3% advantage. Over 90% of CMU's individual schools meet or outperform their individual composite resident districts, some by as much as 30%.

Reading proficiency for students in CMU authorized charter public schools improved by 4.4% from 2010 to 2011, compared to a 3.2% increase for all students statewide.

Math proficiency for students in CMU authorized charter public schools improved by 2.5% from 2010 to 2011, compared to only a 0.9% increase for all students statewide.

CMU authorized charters outperformed their traditional district counterparts in Math & Reading proficiency on the 2011 MEAP tests in Grand Rapids by 20.6%, in Flint by 15.2%, in Lansing by 8.7% and in Detroit by 6.1%.

Canton Charter Academy is once again the top performing public school district in the state, as measured by aggregate proficiency in all subjects. Canton Charter Academy is authorized by CMU and managed by National Heritage Academies.

8 of the 25 top performing charter public schools, and 4 of the 25 top performing public school districts in the state, are authorized by CMU. These schools are: Canton Charter Academy, South Arbor Charter Academy, Eagle Crest Charter Academy, Cross Creek Charter Academy, Holly Academy, Charyl Stockwell Academy, The Midland Academy of Advanced and Creative Studies, and Island City Academy.

CMU charter public schools are held accountable, demand high performance and lead the way for innovation in public education, despite the fact they receive $1,329 less per student than their traditional public school counterparts.

2011 MEAP Results: Michigan's Top 25 Public Schools