Schools report steady progress with MCAS targets

By Mike Berger

Canton students in grades 3-10 are showing steady progress on the “Next Generation” MCAS tests in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics and Science, according to data analysis from the latest round of testing.

In her report to the School Committee last week, PreK-8 Curriculum Director Debbie Rooney said the Canton Public Schools finished in the middle of the pack among 12 comparable school districts. They include Randolph, Dedham, Stoughton, Foxboro, Norwood, Needham, Wellesley, Milton, Walpole, Sharon, and Westwood.

Rooney noted that Canton did not require state assistance or intervention and 57 percent of students showed substantial progress toward targets. “We have seen steady improvement,” she said.

School Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Fischer-Mueller said, “In aggregate, Canton students are performing well, and I am not surprised by the results.” She added that the MCAS scores are just one indicator of the school system’s performance.

In tests taken in the spring of 2019, 13 percent of grades 3-8 students exceeded expectations on the ELA test while 52 percent met expectations, 29 percent partially met expectations, and 6 percent did not meet expectations. This mirrored overall results in 2018.

The math results for grades 3-8 were almost identical to 2018 with 12 percent exceeding expectations, 51 percent meeting expectations, 31 percent partially meeting expectations, and 6 percent not meeting expectations.

For grades 5 and 8 science, 9 to 10 percent exceeded expectations; 44 to 50 percent met expectations; 36 to 38 percent partially met expectations; and 5 to 9 percent did not meet expectations.

At Canton High School, scores were higher in all three subjects. For ELA, 20 percent of students exceeded expectations; 59 percent met expectations; 20 percent partially met expectations; and only 2 percent did not meet expectations. In math, 23 percent exceeded expectations; 53 percent met expectations; 20 percent partially met expectations; and 4 percent did not meet expectations.

Using the older paper tests, 50 percent of CHS students scored advanced in science while 39 percent were deemed proficient, 9 percent met expectations, and 2 percent received warnings or failure. CHS students will be taking the more modern and computerized science tests this year.

Reports were mailed home earlier this month to all students who took the MCAS last spring. The School Department will schedule future public meetings to explain the results. Fischer-Mueller said administrative analysis of the test scores will continue …

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