Hingham Beats State MCAS Average in All Grades, Categories

Hingham students in all grades tested significantly better in English, math and science than the state MCAS averages this year, even as results released on Wednesday show that Massachusetts 10th graders performed at their highest level yet.

Statewide, 10th grade students hit the proficient or advanced levels 88 percent of the time in English and 78 percent in math. That compares to 38 percent and 24 percent in 1998 when MCAS was first administered.

"I am proud of the progress we have made, but won't be satisfied until we close the achievement gap and all students have the opportunity to reach their full potential," Gov. Deval Patrick said in a press release on Monday.

Locally, 98 percent of 10th graders at Hingham High School scored proficient or advanced in English and 95 percent in math.  Hingham sophomores also did much better in science: 90 percent scored within the higher levels compared to 69 percent statewide. 

This is an improvement from last year's scores when 96 percent of Hingham High School students scored proficient or advanced in English compared with 89 percent in math and 89 percent in Science. 

Overall 2012 scores showed that in English, 70 percent of Hingham students hit the advanced level, and 28 percent scored within the proficient level.  In Math, 76 percent of Hingham sophomores scored within  the advanced level compared with 19 percent in the proficient level.  Hingham students struggled more with science as only 40 percent of students hit the advanced level and 50 percent scored within the proficient level.

2012 Results:

To sift through the 2012 MCAS data, go to http://profiles.doe.mass.edu/state_report/mcas.aspx.

What do you think about MCAS testing? How about Hingham's performance?