Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, SEpTEmbEr 27, 2024 MCAS | FROM PAGE 1 em said in a statement to The Saugus Advocate this week in response to the latest MCAS scores released by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). “As a district, our overall SGP in ELA was up 2% compared to the state average which was down 6.7%. Similarly, the SGP in math was up 3.3% from last year, while the state average went down 2.9%. The MCAS results showed these overall trends this year compared to last year statewide: · Science scores increased in grades 5 and 10 and decreased in grade 8. · Compared to 2023, the percentage of students scoring Meeting or Exceeding Expectations in math remained the same in grades 3-8. The percentage of students who scored Meeting or Exceeding Expectations in grade 10 decreased 2 percentage points. · English language arts scores decreased in 2024 as compared to 2023. “After reviewing the released MCAS data, Saugus, as a district, experienced similar trends as the state with declines in the percentage of students meeting/exceeding in ELA and science,” Hashem said. “However, at the district level our decline in ELA was 5% and in science 4% while the state declined 13% in both categories. Our percentage of students meeting/exceeding in the district for math went up 1% versus the state decreasing 8%,” he said. The 2024 Official Accountability Report for Saugus compiled by DESE showed the town’s school district was classified as “not requiring assistance or intervention” because, like a year ago, it was evaluated as making “Moderate Progress toward targets.” However, DESE, in its overall classification of the Saugus Middle School determined that it’s “requirLawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lien * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net ing assistance or intervention” and was in need of “focused/targeted support.” The DESE report released this week showed the accountability percentile for the Saugus Middle School had dipped from 17 percent last year to 14 percent. An accountability percentile between 1 and 99 is reported for most schools. The accountability percentile for the Belmonte STEAM Academy dropped from 45 to 37, while the accountability percentile for Saugus High School dropped from 24 to 21. “As a district and as schools, we will dig deeper into the results to reflect on specific areas in need of improvement and provide resources available to meet those needs,” Hashem said in his statement to the newspaper. “We will continue the implementation of High Quality Instructional Materials across the district which we know can significantly improve student outcomes for all students. We are also aware of the need for improved attendance, as the impact that it has on student learning,” he said. “We echo the words of Russell D. Johnston, acting commissioner of elementary and secondary education, when he stated: ‘We know that consistent attendance is the key to learning, and we’ll continue to work with schools and districts to help them connect with students and families, make schools welcoming places, and offer students interactive, real-world, and engaging lessons.’ As is always the case, we are committed to provide our students with a safe, positive, and nurturing learning environment, so as to prepare them for college and career.” The future of the MCAS in testing students is uncertain, as voters are just weeks away from considering Question 2 on the November election ballot, which would eliminate the test as a high school graduation requirement. Here’s how Saugus Public Schools compared this year to last year in meeting or exceeding expectations, by grade and subject. GRADE 3 ................................................................ 2023 English Language Arts ...................................... 44 Mathematics ......................................................... 42 GRADE 4 English Language Arts ...................................... 32 Mathematics ......................................................... 31 GRADE 5 English Language Arts ...................................... 35 Mathematics ......................................................... 38 Science and Tech/Eng ....................................... 41 GRADE 6 English Language Arts ...................................... 21 Mathematics ......................................................... 20 GRADE 7 English Language Arts ...................................... 21 Mathematics ......................................................... 19 GRADE 8 English Language Arts ...................................... 31 Mathematics ......................................................... 38 Science and Tech/Eng ....................................... 27 GRADE 10 English Language Arts ...................................... 52 Mathematics ......................................................... 44 Science and Tech/Eng ....................................... 43 GRADES 3-8 English Language Arts ...................................... 31 Mathematics ......................................................... 31 GRADES 5 & 8 Science and Tech/Eng ....................................... 34 25 39 21 47 43 39 26 32 27 16 15 28 33 33 22 21 33 42 2024 31 40 For Advertising with RESULTS, call The Advocate Newspapers at 781-233-4446 or info@advocatenews.net
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