Woburn MCAS Results: Superintendent Crowley Responds

WOBURN, MA — Woburn Public Schools made "moderate 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 Woburn students meeting expectations at roughly average rates, the district received a two-year cumulative rating of 42 percent for progress toward meeting targets.

“It is good to see that we are making incremental progress, especially considering the possibility of an implementation dip given our new initiatives, and the next generation test being given for the first time at WMHS. I absolutely recognize that there are areas of growth, and we have our work cut out for us," said Woburn PS Superintendent Matt Crowley.

The "moderate progress" classification means the district does not require state intervention or assistance. In 2015, Woburn Public Schools were classified as underperforming, but they made a major turnaround from 2015 to 2016.

One school, Malcolm White Elementary, is classified as "requiring assistance or intervention," despite making moderate progress, due to lack of participation by current and former English language learners.

"We have put procedural safeguards into place so that this will not reoccur," said Dr. Crowley.

On the 2019 MCAS tests, 52% of 3rd- to 8th-graders met or exceeded expectations in English Language Arts, versus 52% statewide, and 46% in math, versus 49% statewide. 5th- and 8th-graders slightly over-performed the state average in science, with 49% meeting or exceeding expectations versus 48% statewide. High school students were also close to state average levels.

"We had some significant improvements throughout the district, for example at the Joyce Middle School improving 29% on the annual criterion-referenced target percentage and Kennedy Middle schools with an improvement of 23% on the same annual criterion-referenced target percentage," said Dr. Crowley.

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:

Woburn High School

Daniel L. Joyce Middle School

John F. Kennedy Middle School

Clyde Reeves Elementary School

Goodyear Elementary School

Hurld-Wyman Elementary School

Linscott-Rumford Elementary School

Malcolm White Elementary School

Mary D. Altavesta Elementary School

Shamrock Elementary School