The school and district 2010 MCAS scores were released this afternoon, and there’s encouraging news from the 10 urban commissioner’s districts in Massachusetts. Third grade reading scores are up in all 10 districts – Boston, Brockton, Fall River, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, New Bedford, Springfield and Worcester. The achievement gap statewide narrowed, but remains large. In 2010, 43% of third graders from low-income families scored proficient or above on the reading MCAS, up from 35% in 2009. Among students whose families are not low-income, 74% of third graders scored proficient or above on the reading MCAS this year, up from 69% in 2009.

“The most important challenge we face in public education today is accelerating the progress of our lowest performing students, who too often are students of color or from low-income communities,” Mitchell Chester, commissioner of elementary and secondary education, said in a news release. “I am pleased with the progress we have made this year, but recognize that our work will not be completed until we see clear evidence that all students are performing at high levels.”

We issued the following news release about the district scores — including a table with 2010 and 2009 third grade reading scores in the commissioner’s districts.  Click here to view school and district MCAS scores for the entire state. To see third grade reading (ELA) scores, be sure to select grade 03 in the appropriate drop-down box. (more…)

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Governor Patrick announced statewide 2010 MCAS results earlier today, and the news was good. The number of 10^th graders scoring proficient or above in both English and math has almost doubled since passing the MCAS became a graduation requirement in 2003. More than half of seventh and eighth graders scored proficient or above in math. And, given Strategies for Children’s focus on early education and reading proficiency, we took particular note of third grade reading scores, which increased to 63%, up from 57% last year. Although the achievement gap narrowed, 57% of third graders from low-income families scored below proficient. We applauded the results and cautioned against complacency in a news release and statement, a copy of which appears below. District results are due soon.

BOSTON (September 7, 2010) – Strategies for Children, Inc., applauds the hard work of students and teachers throughout the commonwealth, resulting in the strong gains made on the 2010 MCAS. Across the state, 63% of third graders scored proficient or above in reading, up from 57% in 2009. The task now is to build on this progress to reach the 37% of Massachusetts third graders – including 57% of low-income children – who are not yet proficient readers. Three-quarters (74%) of these children, research says, will continue to struggle in school, greatly reducing their chances of finishing high school, attending college or contributing to the state’s knowledge-based economy.

“Massachusetts is headed in the right direction. In order to improve reading for all children, we as a state must continue to strengthen the early language and other skills young children acquire that form the basis for later literacy and school success,” said Margaret Blood, president and founder of Strategies for Children. “To close the achievement gap, we must act on the evidence that it exists well before children enter school. We must ensure that all children have access to high-quality early learning environments.” (more…)

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