Michigan’s 2024-25 Benchmark Assessments - Executive Summary

Sep 15, 2026

November 2025 executive summary for Michigan’s 2024-25 benchmark assessments, documenting how the state’s K-8 benchmark testing requirement evolved from 2020-21 to 2022-23 and how districts may continue with funding. The report outlines research questions and study design, then summarizes findings on achievement trajectories, student growth, variation in performance, regression-adjusted percentile ranks, and proficiency rates. It concludes with implications and key takeaways for interpreting assessment results.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages101

Reading Time4 h 15 min

AccessFree to download

Michigan’s 2024-25 Benchmark Assessments: Executive Summary

Background and Purpose

Research Questions and Study Overview

Key Findings

Implications

Section One: Introduction

Context and Purpose of This Report

Section Two: Data and Methods

Participation and Analysis Samples

Data Aggregation and Analysis

Section Three: Results

Average Achievement Trajectories

Variation in Student Achievement

Regression-Adjusted Percentile Ranks

Proficiency Rates

Student Growth

Section Four: Takeaways and Implications

Key Findings

Implications

References

Endnotes

Appendix

A Research Report Published: November 2025 [www.EPICedpolicy.org](www.EPICedpolicy.org) DISCLAIMER The Education Policy Innovation Collaborative (EPIC) at Michigan State University is an independent, non-partisan research center that operates as the strategic research partner to the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and the Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI) . EPIC conducts original research using a variety of methods that include advanced statistical modeling, representative surveys, interviews, and case study approaches. Results, information, and opinions solely represent the author(s) and are not endorsed by, nor reﬂect the views or positions of, grantors, MDE and CEPI, or any employee thereof. All errors are our own. NOVEMBER 2025 Michigan’s 2024-25 Benchmark Assessments AUTHORS Tara Kilbride, EPIC Associate Director for Research Wei-Chu Chen, EPIC Data Analyst Vivian Crumlish, EPIC Research Assistant, Michigan State University Seth Walker, EPIC Research Assistant, Michigan State University ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors wish to acknowledge the many people who graciously gave of their time in support of this eﬀort. We are especially grateful to our partners for their collaboration and thoughtful feedback. In particular, we would like to thank Dr. Laura Ballard, Kate Cermak, Dr. Delsa Chapman, Shulawn Doxie, David Judd, Ann-Marie Mapes, Andrew Middlestead, Gerry Polverento, and Carol Skillings from the Michigan Department of Education; Tom Howell and Lauren Paluta from the Center for Educational Performance and Information; Kyle Kwaiser, Nicole Wagner, and Qia Yang from the Michigan Education Data Center at the University of Michigan; and Kevin Bullard, Don Dailey, Tony Howard and Bryan Smith from the Michigan Data Hub. At Michigan State University, we thank Emily Mohr and Erin Conley for coordinating and facilitating the project, Michelle Huhn for her assistance with formatting and Bridgette Redman for her excellent copy-editing. Table of Contents Michigan’s 2024-25 Benchmark Assessments: Executive Summary ....................................... i Background and Purpose ...................................................................................................................... i Research Questions and Study Overview ........................................................................................... ii Key Findings........................................................................................................................................... iii Implications ...........................................................................................................................................vii Section One: Introduction ............................................................................................................ 1 Context and Purpose of This Report ................................................................................................... 1 Section Two: Data and Methods.................................................................................................. 3 Participation and Analysis Samples ..................................................................................................... 3 Data Aggregation and Analysis .......................................................................................................... 10 Summary............................................................................................................................................... 15 Section Three: Results ................................................................................................................ 17 Average Achievement Trajectories .................................................................................................... 17 Variation in Student Achievement ...........................................................................................

FAQs

What is the background and purpose of Michigan’s benchmark assessments in 2024-25?

The report explains that the Michigan legislature mandated fall and spring benchmark assessment testing for all K-8 students during 2020-21 through 2022-23 to monitor progress toward learning goals. After the mandate ended, districts that continue benchmarking may receive state funding.

What methods does the report use to study benchmark assessment results?

The report describes original research using advanced statistical modeling, representative surveys, interviews, and case study approaches, supported by defined participation and analysis samples and data aggregation.

Which results are highlighted in the executive summary?

The summary highlights average achievement trajectories, variation in student achievement, regression-adjusted percentile ranks, proficiency rates, and student growth, followed by implications and key takeaways for interpreting outcomes.

Sep 15, 2026

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