MCAS outcomes for 2024 confirmed extra “concerning” outcomes than the optimistically trending 2023 outcomes and remained lagging nicely behind pre-pandemic scores, state schooling officers introduced Tuesday.
“These results are concerning,” DESE Appearing Commissioner Russell Johnston mentioned Tuesday. “They are concerning as we continue to fight pandemic-related learning loss. While we have been operating with a sense of urgency, these results fortify our responsibility, our deep responsibility. Hear me on how we accept that deep responsibility, how we respond to these concerning results and build broad strategies that can be implemented to address and improve outcomes for our children.”
In 2024, the English/language arts (ELA) scores confirmed decrease achievement in all grades from 2023, whereas math remained comparatively unchanged in most grades and science confirmed combined outcomes from the prior yr.
The combined outcomes come after Massachusetts officers heralded “recovery is fully underway” in response to 2023 outcomes, which confirmed the primary important constructive will increase in scores since 2019. Whereas the 2023 outcomes elevated or remained fixed in most grades from 2022, they remained nicely beneath 2019 scores.
In an embargoed briefing Monday, state Secretary of Training Patrick Tutwiler mentioned “the road back from the pandemic is not short.”
The outcomes come weeks earlier than a poll query eradicating the MCAS commencement requirement is ready to return earlier than voters on the November common election poll. Tutwiler additionally argued Monday that “assessments are important,” citing measuring persistent inequities and the “historically unique context” popping out of the pandemic.
ELA rating had been an “extremely concerning” space, mentioned DESE Chief Officer for Information Evaluation and Accountability Rob Curtin. 2024 ELA rating drops hit youthful grades more durable, with as much as 5% drops in college students assembly or exceeding expectations from 2023, and remained extra flat for eighth and tenth graders, DESE knowledge present.
In math, third grade was the “highlight” as the one set of outcomes to indicate a constructive improve from 2023, whereas all others remained comparatively flat and tenth grade dropped, Curtin mentioned. In science, grades 5 and 10 noticed enchancment from 2023 and grade 8 dropped.
That is the primary yr after rating requirements had been raised for the category of 2026, tenth graders final yr. In August 2022, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Training raised the required scores to satisfy the Instructional Proficiency Plan (EPP) and Competency Dedication (CD) requirements.
If a scholar passes the CD they’ve handed the take a look at, whereas college students who go the EPP are finished the take a look at however should full a regionally administered plan.
For the category of 2026, the ELA normal for each was raised considerably, and the mathematics EPP normal was raised very barely.
For the tenth graders, the cumulative impact “is that 78% of students in the class of 2026 reached at least the EPP level in all three subjects on their first attempt, and are no longer required to take any of the MCAS tests,” mentioned Curtin. “This is compared to 82% from 2023, the class of 2025.”
Curtin mentioned BESE expects the variety of college students who go the EPP to “increase dramatically as kids have additional retest opportunities and also submit appeals.”
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