THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, NOVEmbER 15, 2024 Page 13 ~ Op-Ed ~ Everett Schools Under Serve Majority of Students T he Department of Education published the results of the 2023-2024 MCAS student testing, and compared to last school year, the scores have significantly changed. Everett students are again performing lower than in the surrounding cities. In the October 20, 2023, edition of The Everett Advocate, we wrote that the Everett Schools had fl atlined over the last three years. This year they took the plunge. This exam is the only set of standardized tests used to measure public school students’ performance. The test is also used by the district to analyze and measure the health and vitality of their curriculum. These scores are used to identify strengths and weaknesses within the school system and adjust the curriculum accordingly. This test is the only form of accountability and performance for teachers and administration authorized by the Commonwealth. After the test scores are analyzed by the Department of Education, an accountability report is published listing each school building throughout the Commonwealth and categorizes them into “schools that require assistance” and “schools that do not require assistance.” Last year only Everett’s Keverian School was categorized as needing assistance. This year the Parlin, English and Devens Schools have been added to that list. Needing assistance can mean a number of things. The people of Everett have not heard a word from the superintendent or school committee about the necessary assistance for these schools. Everett’s scores in Grades 3-8 math show only 19 percent of the students meeting or exceeding expectations in 2024. This means that 81 percent of students in grades 3-8 are failing the math requirements. Everett’s scores in Grades 3-8 English Language Arts (ELA) dropped fi ve percent from last year to 17 percent this year. This means that 83 percent of our students in grades 3-8 are failing the ELA requirements. Grade 10 students in math are meeting or exceeding expectations at only 21 percent. This dropped two percent from last school year. This means that 79 percent of our grade 10 students are failing the math requirements. Grade 10 ELA students are meeting or exceeding expectations at 37 percent. This means that 63 percent of our grade 10 students are failing the ELA requirements. When results dramatically show regression, stopgap measures must be put in place to prevent further regression. A turn around needs to be initiated immediately by the school committee and the entire school department to enable our students to succeed. The district is underserving the majority of our students. The school department needs to expand learning opportunities, and expanding learning time is a win for students. The school committee, with the urging of the teachers union, reduced learning time by six days from 186 to 180. The school committee and teachers union justifi ed the reduction of days by adding only 15 minutes to the school day. What can be accomplished in 15 minutes? The high absenteeism by both teachers and students is a major factor in the lack of achievement. Our current school committee is partially responsible for the regression of the schools. They are failing to make strong decisions regarding curriculum advancements, and they are not holding the appropriate employees responsible for their failure to get positive results. Everett Schools have received millions of dollars through Federal Relief Funds, the American Rescue Plan Act, the Student Opportunity Act and Chapter 70 funding. The school department has more money than ever to improve our school system. How was this money used? The limited focus on improving student outcome is telling. Everett Schools Under Serve Majority of Students State Department of Education’s MCAS Results for 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 indicating the percentage of students exceeding & meeting expectations. Grade 3 - 8 Math 2021 2022 2023 2024 Medford Peabody Malden Somerville Revere Boston Everett 26 32 27 31 24 31 24 33 17 27 20 24 14 22 36 35 33 33 32 36 33 32 26 25 26 26 20 19 % of students meeting & exceeding expectations 40 50 Grade 3 - 8 ELA 2021 2022 2023 2024 Medford Peabody Malden Revere Boston Everett 45 37 41 Somerville 41 35 31 24 40 30 36 41 28 29 21 40 32 36 39 26 29 22 38 27 33 38 22 27 17 % of students meeting & exceeding expectations 50 Medford Peabody Malden Somerville Revere Boston Everett Grade 10 Math 2021 41 44 42 40 38 38 23 2022 43 35 42 41 36 41 24 2023 2024 39 36 39 37 25 39 23 % of students meeting & exceeding expectations 70 32 32 36 38 31 38 21 Medford Peabody Malden Somerville Revere Boston Everett Grade 10 ELA 2021 61 58 54 53 53 45 41 2022 53 43 48 56 47 47 36 2023 52 42 51 53 41 47 33 % of students meeting & exceeding expectations 2024 35 35 49 53 49 42 37 30 37.5 37.5 52.5 20 25 25 35 10 12.5 12.5 17.5 0 0 2021 2022 2023 2024 2021 2022 2023 2024 0 2021 2022 2023 2024 0 2021 2022 2023 2024 Medford Malden Revere Everett Peabody Somerville Boston Medford Malden Revere Everett Peabody Somerville Boston Medford Malden Revere Everett Peabody Somerville Boston Medford Malden Revere Everett Peabody Somerville Boston
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