Spring 2025 MCAS Reflection- Letter From District Leadership

Earlier today, student test results from last year’s Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) were placed in the mail for families. Caregivers with current Grade 4-11 students should expect to receive these results in the mail within the next two weeks. If you do not receive your student’s results within that time frame, please contact your school’s front office. Visit Here for more information and resources for caregivers regarding the MCAS test.

In reviewing the data, district staff members were encouraged by the English Language Arts performance of our current fourth grade students. Last year’s third graders, who at the time were two years into our new literacy curriculum, were above the state average in ELA results. Their ELA results, along with our current 6th grade students, show our literacy curriculum is proving a strong foundation for students to learn and demonstrate their strong literacy skills. We are hopeful to see more of these encouraging results in the years to come. 

We were also encouraged by the results of our current 11th grade students on the science portion of the MCAS. Their results were above the state average when taking the science exam last year, the first year that passing the MCAS results were no longer a high school graduation requirement.

In conversations with teachers, administrators, and district staff members both before and after the MCAS scores were released, one area we will be further prioritizing is writing. Our writing scores were below the state average for all grade levels. Writing is a crucial component of our school curriculum, enabling our students to connect, reflect, and communicate with the world around them.

Overall, progress was made towards our accountability targets (as assigned by DESE) at all of our schools, and our district overall does not require assistance. District administrations and building leaders will continue our collaboration to best support all students throughout MPS.  

Student success is not defined by a number or a test result, and students districtwide continue to grow socially, emotionally, and academically inside and outside of the classroom. However MCAS results are an important indicator of the achievement of statewide grade-level standards at all levels. Educators use these results to inform decision-making on our curriculum and instruction.

Thank you to all our students, parents, and staff members for your continued effort and engagement in advancing the education of our students. 

Sincerely, 

Dr. Suzanne B Galusi, Interim Superintendent

Dr. Kim Talbot, Assistant Superintendent for Academics and Instruction