Worcester School District Shows "Substantial Progress": MCAS

WORCESTER, MA — Massachusetts released the results for the latest round of MCAS tests, and Worcester Public Schools achieved the "substantial progress" distinction on state's new accountability system. But the number of Worcester students meeting or exceeding expectations lagged behind state averages on all 16 of the assessments. The state uses the tests as a key guide to performance of its schools and as part of its effort to bring accountability to the education system.

The district received a two-year cumulative rating of 52 percent. For 2019 alone, results were even higher – 60 percent of progress toward targets.

Of the 45 schools in the district, 13 were classified as "requiring assistance or intervention," and only one had insufficient data, the rest were not requiring assistance. Two schools in the district were recognized for high growth: Belmont Street Community and West Tatnuck. They were among 67 schools in the state to be recognized.

This is the second year of the state's accountability system, marketed as a more "comprehensive look" at districts and schools in specific. The designations are given based on how districts and schools perform in six different categories:

• MCAS achievement in English Language Arts (ELA), Math and Science/Technology/Engineering (STE)
• MCAS growth in ELA and Math
• High school completion rates
• Progress toward English language proficiency for English learners
• Chronic absenteeism (missing 10% or more of a student's membership)
• High school advanced coursework completion.

On the new, more rigorous English exam for 10th-graders, 42 percent of Worcester students exceeded or met expectations — below the 61 percent statewide average. On a tougher math exam for 10th-graders, 36 percent of Worcester students exceeded or met expectations, below the 59 percent who met that mark across Massachusetts.

Scroll below for the 2019 MCAS results for next-generation tests. School-by-school scores will be provided in the coming days.

The state rolled out "next generation" tests in 2019, which have much higher expectations, especially in math and English. 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.

Check out the complete break down of Worcester's scores on the MCAS results released Tuesday.

Worcester Next-generation MCAS Results

English Language Arts (Taken by grades 3-8 and 10)

Meeting or exceeding expectations: 37 percent

Exceeding expectations: 5 percent

Meeting expectations: 32 percent

Partially meeting expectations: 43 percent

Not meeting expectations: 20 percent

Math (Taken by grades 3-8 and 10)

Meeting or exceeding expectations: 31 percent

Exceeding expectations: 4 percent

Meeting expectations: 27 percent

Partially meeting expectations: 46 percent

Not meeting expectations: 23 percent

Science (Taken by grades 5, 8 and 10)

Meeting or exceeding expectations: 27 percent

Exceeding expectations: 3 percent

Meeting expectations: 24 percent

Partially meeting expectations: 49 percent

Not meeting expectations: 25 percent