LANSING – In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said higher test scores by students on the Michigan Merit Examination result from a more rigorous college prep curriculum implemented four years ago.

“The Michigan Department of Education reported this week that high school students in our state are continuing to improve their performance on the Michigan Merit Examination and scoring higher on the ACT college entrance test,” Granholm said. “These higher test scores are occurring because of something we did four years ago. We created a more rigorous high school curriculum, which students would have to complete to graduate.”

In the governor’s 2006 State of the State address, she called on the Legislature to adopt recommendations for a tougher, college prep curriculum that had been developed by State Superintendent Mike Flanagan and approved by the State Board of Education. Legislation was passed, and the governor signed it into law April 20, 2006.

“The high school juniors who took the Michigan Merit Exam this year will be the first students who’ll have to complete the new college prep curriculum to graduate,” Granholm said.

“This rigorous curriculum helps ensure that every high school graduate in Michigan can be successful in college or technical training,” Granholm continued. “That is the key to Michigan’s economic future. A well-educated workforce is essential to diversifying our economy, attracting investment and jobs to our state, and competing in the global marketplace.”

“Four years ago we created that college prep curriculum for high school students with the goal of doubling the number of college graduates in Michigan,” Granholm said. “Rising test scores are the best proof that the more rigorous curriculum is working. And that is good news as we continue moving to a new, knowledge-based Michigan economy.”