Urban Science Academy Met No Child Left Behind Goals Two Years in a Row

Boston Public Schools are improving faster than the statewide average on the MCAS math exam.

Superintendent Carol Johnson and Massachusetts Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester released statistics on MCAS scores on Tuesday.

Two West Roxbury schools were also cited for showing progress in the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), which measures progress toward meeting No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) requirements. If schools meet AYP performance targets two years in a row they lose accountability status with No Child Left Behind, which is a good thing for schools as they could lose funding if targets are not met.

The Urban Science Academy reached their accountability goal because they met NCLB goals for two years in a row.

The Lyndon K-8 School also met all their AYP targets in both ELA and math in 2010, and if the school meets certain requirements next year they will exit their NCLB accountability status.

"Boston's students are once again making advancements that show in grand fashion the progress underway in our schools," said Mayor Thomas Menino. "The Boston Public Schools has come a far way and continues to achieve goals that some once thought were out of reach. We continue to set high standards for our students and our schools with every intention of achieving our goals, if not exceeding them."

Students in grades 3 through 8 showed great improvement in the math portion of the MCAS, according to data released.

"These MCAS scores prove it is possible to take aggressive steps that result in immediate improvement," said Johnson. "These results also show how important it is for every district employee to work to close the achievement and access gaps that exist. We have much to be proud of, but we also recognize our work is not done. We are committed to working tirelessly to serve every student in our city so they are college ready and career bound by their senior year of high school."

Statistics also showed that the gap in passing rates between black and Hispanic students compared to white students narrowed significantly, from 35 points in 1998 to 5 points in 2010. Data showed that 90 percent or more of students in every racial group passed the MCAS. But a proficiency gap was still present as 78 percent of white students reached proficiency compared to 53 percent of black students.