Alpena Public Schools students saw notable declines in third- and fourth-grade performance on the latest state assessments, with the sharpest local changes appearing in English Language Arts and mathematics.
Michigan released M-STEP results for the 2025-2026 school year Friday. About 25.9% of APS third graders tested proficient or above proficient in ELA, compared with 31.9% during the 2024-2025 school year.
The results measure student performance against Michigan academic standards and provide one part of a broader picture of progress. The Michigan Department of Education said the assessments are intended to gauge how well students are moving toward standards that outline the knowledge and skills needed for the workplace, career training and college.
ELA results vary across APS grades
Third grade recorded the largest ELA decline among the grades listed. Fourth-grade proficiency also fell, from 40.9% in 2024-2025 to 36.7% in 2025-2026.
ELA proficiency among APS fifth graders was 42.9%, compared with 42.7% the previous year. Sixth-grade proficiency rose from 31.2% to 31.9%, while seventh-grade proficiency increased from 28.9% to 30.5%.
Among eighth graders taking the PSAT, the ELA proficiency rate was 60%.
Mathematics scores also declined in younger grades
In mathematics, 35.7% of APS third graders reached proficiency or higher in 2025-2026, down from 40% the year before. Fourth-grade math proficiency fell from 35.9% to 26.5%.
Fifth-grade math proficiency was 25.7%, compared with 28% in 2024-2025. Sixth-grade proficiency was 17.9%, down from 20.8%, and seventh-grade proficiency was 23.2%, compared with 25.9% the previous school year.
The source report described the third- and fourth-grade mathematics decreases as significant. It also said the number of proficient students in fifth, sixth and seventh grades was about the same as the prior year for ELA, while third- and fourth-grade ELA proficiency decreased significantly.
Statewide results were mostly stable
Across Michigan, proficiency rates remained flat on most of the 20 tests administered across five grade levels and four subjects, according to a Friday MDE press release. Results on all but four tests stayed within two percentage points of 2025, and most remained within one percentage point.
MDE cautioned that M-STEP assessments are high-bar tests. Students who score partially proficient are not necessarily performing below grade level, and students below the proficiency benchmark can still succeed in school, high school, college and their chosen professions.
The department said test results should be considered alongside classroom work, report cards, district assessments and daily formative assessments, which provide information teachers use to address student learning needs.
A message was left with APS Superintendent Dave Rabbideau seeking comment on the results.