BPS students outpace state growth in Math MCAS scores

BOSTON – Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Carol R. Johnson today joined with Massachusetts Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester to release the latest Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) district scores. The data released today shows BPS students are improving much faster than the statewide average on the math portion of the exam. The assessment test is the first since BPS unveiled the Acceleration Agenda, a five-year strategic plan for rapidly improving student success in every Boston public school.

“Boston’s students are once again making advancements that show in grand fashion the progress underway in our schools,” said Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “The Boston Public Schools has come a far way and continues to achieve goals that some once thought were out of reach. We continue to set high standards for our students and our schools with every intention of achieving our goals, if not exceeding them.”

The data released today show that students in grades 3 through 8 made substantial gains on the math portion of the exam. Third and eighth graders saw an eight-point gain in passing scores compared to 2009, which is twice the statewide average. The rise in proficiency rates is also substantial in the elementary and middle grades: third and seventh grade proficiency rates increased by double-digits.

The results also show that both passing and proficiency rates are up significantly for third graders on the English Language Arts (ELA) portion of the exam (five-point gain in passing rate; six-point gain in proficiency rate).

“These MCAS scores prove it is possible to take aggressive steps that result in immediate improvement,” said Dr. Johnson. “These results also show how important it is for every district employee to work to close the achievement and access gaps that exist. We have much to be proud of, but we also recognize our work is not done. We are committed to working tirelessly to serve every student in our city so they are college ready and career bound by their senior year of high school.”

In 10th grade ELA, the gap in passing rates between Black and Hispanic students compared to White students has narrowed significantly: from 35 points in 1998 to 5 points in 2010, with 90% or more students in every racial group passing the MCAS. The proficiency gap however, though declining, still persists, with 78% of white students reaching proficiency compared to 53% of Black students.

ELL students saw a double-digit gain in the 3rd grade proficiency rate, from 22% to 33%. Similarly, ELL students in 8th grade saw a 10-point gain in their proficiency rate from 25% to 35%.

BPS is the first school district in Massachusetts to take advantage of the education reform law that was enacted in January. The law gives superintendents the authority to make immediate changes in underperforming schools. With this new authority, Superintendent Johnson has extended the school day at Boston’s 12 Turnaround Schools. Staff at many of these underperforming schools were also asked to reapply for their positions. In February and April BPS held Acceleration Academies at nine turnaround schools during school vacation weeks. The academies featured focused week-long instruction in math and ELA for students in need of additional instruction time. 

Results at some of the district’s turnaround schools are worthy of note. Trotter Elementary School showed double-digit growth in its ELA Composite Performance Index (CPI). CPI is the state’s method for measuring progress toward proficiency. Federal guidelines require a CPI of 100 by 2014. Orchard Gardens K-8 school also saw double-digit CPI growth in math as did Agassiz Elementary, J.F. Kennedy Elementary and Dever Elementary.

Scores at one turnaround school, Blackstone Elementary, are not yet being released. In August, district officials noticed an anomaly in the preliminary scores. Superintendent Johnson has asked the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to work with BPS staff to review the data before it is released.

Results were also released today for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) which measures progress toward annual performance targets in ELA and Math as required by the national No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). The standard for meeting AYP is raised each year, making the federal target more difficult to attain. Several Boston schools are exiting accountability status, having made AYP for two consecutive years. The schools are: Gardner Pilot Academy, Urban Science Academy, Perkins Elementary, and Lee Elementary. An additional twelve schools with an accountability status met all their AYP targets in both ELA and Math in 2010.  These were: Another Course to College, Adams Elementary, Alighieri Elementary, Ellison/Parks Early Education Center, Farragut Elementary, Lyndon K-8, Manning Elementary, New Mission High, Otis Elementary, Philbrick Elementary, Quincy Upper, and Warren-Prescott K-8.  These schools will exit their NCLB accountability status if they make AYP in 2011.

State officials also announced today 188 newly-named "Commendation Schools" across the state for their academic growth and continued success in closing achievement gaps. Three Boston schools, Eliot K-8, Mary Lyon School, and Roosevelt K-8 school, are among those receiving this prestigious designation.

The Commendation Schools are being recognized for their steady progress in raising student achievement while at the same time demonstrating a consistent narrowing of achievement gaps among students.