LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan students improved in slightly more than half of the grades and subjects tested on newer, more rigorous standardized assessments, but their proficiency declined in other areas.

M-STEP results released Tuesday show that fewer than half of the students were proficient in 17 of 18 subject-grade tests.

State officials say there’s work to be done, but they’re pleased testing times dropped and results are being released four months earlier than last year — the first time the M-STEP was given.

Also being released are SAT college entrance exam scores. The SAT was administered to 11th-graders for the first time after Michigan switched from the ACT.

Sixty percent of students were deemed college and career ready in reading and writing, but just 37 percent were college and career ready in math.