Salem Public Schools Upgraded from Level 4 Designation

SALEM, MA — While 2016 may have shown a decrease in MCAS scores in the high school, Salem Public Schools as a whole was upgraded from a Level 4 school district to Level 3.

According to the latest accountability data released by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary education, the Salem Public Schools has moved out of Level 4 during the latest release of data. The district will no longer be under state monitoring effective immediately.

“The rigor and focus of the district’s Accelerated Improvement Plan (AIP) coupled with strong cohesive professional development, instructional support and hard work of all of our teachers, school leaders, staff resulted in real gains for the district and significantly improved student performance,” said Salem Public Schools Superintendent Margarita Ruiz in a press release.

2016 marked the first year in which Elementary students took the PARCC assessments in place of MCAS, and showed "strong gains" in English Language Arts and mathematics, according to the district's announcement of the ratings change. Only the district's 10th grade students participated in the MCAS exams.

Salem Public Schools spokeswoman Kelley Rice indicated that the district was disappointed in the dip in the MCAS results, but was extraordinarily pleased overall with the PARCC results.

In total, seven of the district's nine schools improved their statewide ranking, according to the district. Only Salem High School and Witchcraft Heights did not improved their statewide rankings.

Bentley Academy Charter School, previously a Level 4 school, saw steep improvement to a Level 1 designation. Additionally, Horace Mann Laboratory school moved from a Level 3 to a Level 2. Only Collins Middle School, Bowditch Elementary School and Salem High School are designated as level 3 schools.

"The Bentley School Board is very proud of the tremendous progress that the students and teachers have made," said Chairman Ryan Lovell in a statement.

Rice indicated that the state's Commissioner of Education Mitchell Chester will report to the Bentley School Friday to announce the news of the upgrade.

“I am pleased with the strong performance by Bentley Academy Charter School and with the district’s overall performance on PARCC. This district is on the rise,” said Ruiz.

Check back with Patch for updates.

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