Why Detroit public schools reading scores are behind state levels and what DPSCD is doing to fix it

DETROIT (FOX 2) - Recent test scores show students in Detroit Public Schools Community District are reading below their level compared to students across the state – with some being three grades behind.

According to the latest data from DPSCD, 15.9% of students between grades 3 and 8 are proficient in English language arts. That number is 1.3% higher than last year – but still well below the state average of about 44%.

Why are DPSCD students behind?

The answer for why students are behind is not yet fully known. According to Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti, the solution will need a broad approach and the students shouldn't be judged by the stats.

"Our students are much more talented than those numbers," Vitti said.

One of the biggest facts is absenteeism and truancy. Getting kids to class is a big factor as they'll improve their scores by three or five times by missing less school.

"That also tells us our teachers in our schools are generally doing the right thing, we just have to have kids show up more regularly," Vitti said.

Are scores improving?

The truth is, there has been progress overall in the schools but some grades are falling behind – particularly in third-grad reading proficiency.

That declined slightly by less than a percentage point in the past year with 11.7% of third graders reading at or above grade level.

"What we should be doing is what we are doing," Vitti said. "DPSCD has shown more improvement in grade level performance being at and above grade level than the state of Michigan – and better than 80 percent of large urban school districts."

What is DPSCD doing to solve the low scores?

DPSCD undertook a multi-year plan to improve reading by changing the curriculum and hiring more people with college degrees to work with students one-on-one. The district also added more after-school and summer programs.

The district received over $90 million from a right-to-read settlement to bolster literacy education. The after-school literacy tutoring program is giving a boost as well, according to school board member Sherry Gay Dagnogo.

"I think when we show that interest and celebrate them, we’re going to see the needle moving even further with proficiency and reading," Dagnogo said.