UP Gazette

Economically disadvantaged students' performance in the 2022-23 SAT declined in Escanaba Area Public Schools, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Overall, economically disadvantaged students who took the test scored an average of 896.8. The average registered for the whole district was of 943.9.

Data shows that 21.9% of the group were considered ready for college.

In the previous year, 25.6% passed the college readiness benchmark on the SAT.

In the 2022-23 school year, white students were the best-performing ethnic group on the test, boasting a college readiness of 27.4% and scores at an average of 941.8.

There were a total of 188 students taking the test in the district.

Overall, students in Michigan are still performing below pre-pandemic levels. According to the test results, their scores are on average 4.5% lower than the pre-pandemic levels.

A recent study in the state suggested this could be caused by remote schooling. Students who learned remotely experienced more learning loss compared to those who attended in-person classes during the pandemic.

“This is hurting kids in ways we can’t even imagine, and not just academically,” Senator Thomas Albert said during his time as the House Appropriations Chairman. “The disruption of sports and other extracurricular activities also takes a major toll. It’s going to take years for some of these students to recover academically.”

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was criticized for trying to address these academic failures by using more tutors in the public school system.

“Relying only on the system that caused academic and mental health setbacks is not looking out for the best interest of children,” Jamie A. Hope wrote in the Michigan Capitol Confidential.

Due to privacy concerns, exact numbers are not reported for categories with a small number of students.

School	# Tested	% Ready for College	Average Score
Escanaba Junior-Senior High School	55	29.1%	940.2
Escanaba Student Success Center	18	<=20%	764.4