Wilmington MCAS Results By School: 'Substantial Progress'

WILMINGTON, Wilmington 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 Wilmington students meeting expectations at above average rates, the district received a two-year cumulative rating of 65 percent for progress toward meeting targets.

On the tests MCAS, the number of Wilmington students meeting or exceeding expectations topped state averages in 18 of the 19 assessments. Only fifth graders taking the English exam lagged behind state averages.

The district made improvement just from 2018 to 2019, increasing its rating from 56 to 71%. 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, 59% of 3rd- to 8th-graders met or exceeded expectations in English Language Arts, versus 52% statewide, and 67% in math, versus 49% statewide. 5th- and 8th-graders slightly over-performed the state average in science, with 53% meeting or exceeding expectations versus 48% statewide.

Wilmington's 10th-graders performed well relative to state averages, with 77% meeting or exceeding expectations on English Language Arts and 71% on math, versus 61 and 59% statewide.

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:

Wilmington High School

Wilmington Middle School

North Intermediate School

West Intermediate School

Shawsheen Elementary School

Woburn Street Elementary School