On Monday October 21 Superintendent Dr. Joseph Maruszczak (Dr. M) and Curriculum Director Maureen Cohen delivered a presentation on the 2013 MCAS tests and each school’s accountability rating to the Mendon Upton Regional School Committee.
Dr. M describes this year’s MCAS results as positive, but also mixed. “I am pleased that our overall proficiency levels in English language arts and mathematics continue to rise, as there was a 3% and 5% increase, respectively, in those tests across all grade levels within the district. While our aggregate scores are showing incremental progress, we must do more to address the learning of our students with the greatest needs,” Dr. M. wrote on his blog.
Dr. M explains, “Under the state’s accountability system, schools and districts must not only increase the scores (and meet established performance targets) of all students, but also those of significant “subgroups,” e.g., various racial groups, students with disabilities, students from poverty, English language learners (ELLs), etc. As the MURSD has a relatively small amount of students in these subgroups, the State Department of Education mixes the special education, high poverty, and ELL students into a larger subgroup known as “high needs.” It is in this subgroup where our district must focus greater attention, as across the various grade levels, we are not meeting the targets.”
Below is a “screencast” presentation of the results which Dr. M. created on an iPad. All information provided on this post and additional information can be found on Dr. Joseph Maruszczak blog.
