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HOUGHTON -- The tests start with reading and math for third and fourth graders and include subjects like science and social studies as students get older.

Nearly 300 Houghton Elementary schoolers took the MEAP test last October.

When scores came out in March the results showed teachers and students were on the right track.

"We're very pleased with the scores, we're proud of the teachers and students as well. We did score above the state average this year and all areas at the elementary school scored over 90%," said Doreen Klingbeil, Houghton Elementary Principal.

Of course, schools in the Copper Country typically outperform their peers across the state.

Almost all the Keweenaw elementary schools saw at least 90% of their students meet or exceed test standards.

For smaller schools like Chassell township, with only 61 third, fourth and fifth graders tested, the scoring can be skewed, because there are so few students.

"We're so small that one student either way can drop our scores 5-10%. So we have to be careful how we look at those numbers," says George Stockero, Chassell Township Principal.

Stockero says he draws his own conclusions from tracking each grade's performance year-to-year in comparison with the state averages.

Both schools say they do use the MEAP scores to refocus their curriculum when necessary. And at Chassell, teachers will spend several in service days this spring figuring out what changes they want to make for the next school year.

For more information on MEAP scores visit the Michigan Dept. of Education website.