MCAS Results: Tewksbury Making 'Substantial Progress'

TEWKSBURY, MA — Tewksbury Public Schools made "substantial progress" toward targets, according to school accountability measures released by the state alongside the MCAS test results Tuesday. The measure is based on MCAS results combined with high school completion, English language learning, chronic absenteeism, and advanced coursework. With Tewksbury students meeting expectations at above average rates, the district received a two-year cumulative rating of 66 percent for progress toward meeting targets.

The district made significant improvement just from 2018 to 2019, more than doubling its rating from 41 to 83%. Tewksbury saw improvement in every category. The "substantial progress" classification means the district does not require state intervention or assistance.

No individual school was classified as requiring intervention, either.

On the 2019 MCAS tests, 62% of 3rd- to 8th-graders met or exceeded expectations in English Language Arts, versus 52% statewide, and 54% in math, versus 49% statewide. 5th- and 8th-graders slightly over-performed the state average in science, with 52% meeting or exceeding expectations versus 48% statewide. High school students were also close to state average levels.

Statewide, high school performance looks much worse than in 2018, but it is not the same test. The state introduced "next generation" tests for 10th-graders 2019, with much higher expectations. According to the Boston Globe, 61 percent of 10th-graders statewide met or exceeded expectations on the new English MCAS, and 59 percent for the math exam. In 2018 where 91 percent met those parameters for English, and 78 percent did on the old Math exam.

Thankfully for students, the state is taking that into account when determining passing scores. For the next two years, the passing score will be at the upper end of the "not meeting expectations" category.

School-by-school results:

Tewksbury Memorial High School

John W. Wynn Middle School

John F. Ryan Elementary School

Louise Davy Trahan Elementary School

North Street Elementary School