Page 10 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, OCTObEr 3, 2025 MCAS Results for Saugus Superintendent Hashem says the School District is making “moderate progress toward state targets” in the latest results By Mark E. Vogler S chools Superintendent Michael Hashem said he’s pleased that Saugus Public Schools has been recognized as making moderate progress toward state targets, according to the latest Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) test results released this week by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). “While we know there is still important work ahead, we are encouraged by the positive trends we are seeing,” Hashem said in a statement to The Saugus Advocate. The superintendent cited these highlights from the test results: · Overall progress: Our cumulative progress toward improvement targets increased from 40% to 43%, with a criterion-referenced target percentage now at 42%. · Accountability measures: DESE evaluates progress based on achievement (60%), growth (20%), English language profi - ciency (10%), and chronic absenteeism (10%). • Non-high school grades (3– 8): 4 of 12 points for achievement, 5 of 8 for growth, 3 of 4 for English language profi ciency, and 4 of 4 for chronic absenteeism. • High school: 4 of 8 points for growth and 4 of 4 for English language profi ciency. • Proficiency rates (grades 3–8): • ELA: 26% (steady from last year) • Math: 34% (+2% from last year) • Science & Technology: 33% (+6% from last year) • Student Growth Percentile (SGP): Many grades scored around the state median in ELA, math, and science. • Grade 5 math and overall math (grades 3–8) were above the 50th percentile. • Grade 8 math was a standout — already strong at the 81st percentile last year, it rose to the 86th percentile this year. “These results refl ect the dedication of our students, staff, and families,” Hashem said. “While we are encouraged by the progress, we recognize that continued eff ort is needed to move all students toward meeting state standards. Our teachers and administrators are committed to using both MCAS data and real-time classFor Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 room data to guide instruction and support every student,” he said. “We will be presenting a more detailed analysis of these results to the newly elected School Committee at a November meeting. All of the data shared here comes directly from DESE and is publicly available. “Thank you for your ongoing support as we work together to help every student succeed.” The 2025 Offi cial Accountability Report for Saugus compiled by DESE showed the town’s school district was classifi ed as “not requiring assistance or intervention” because, like a year ago, it was evaluated as making “Moderate Progress toward targets.” DESE, in its overall classifi cation of Saugus Middle School, showed the accountability percentile for the school had increased slightly from 14 percent last year to 15 percent. An accountability percentile between 1 and 99 is reported for most schools. The accountability percentile for Belmonte STEAM Academy dropped from 37 to 36, while the accountability percentile for Saugus High School dropped from 21 to 16. Here’s how Saugus Public Schools compared this year to last year in meeting or exceeding expectations, by grade and subject. GRADE 3 English Language Arts Mathematics GRADE 4 English Language Arts Mathematics GRADE 5 English Language Arts Mathematics Science and Tech/Eng. GRADE 6 English Language Arts Mathematics GRADE 7 English Language Arts Mathematics GRADE 8 English Language Arts Mathematics Science and Tech/Eng. GRADE 10 English Language Arts Mathematics Science and Tech/Eng. GRADES 3-8 English Language Arts Mathematics GRADES 5 & 8 Science and Tech/Eng. 23 47 27 36 31 36 26 34 33 25 39 21 47 43 39 26 32 27 Saugus man arrested in connection with road rage-related shooting P olice say a road rage incident escalated into a shooting near a Cliftondale ice cream shop last week (Sept. 24), leading to the arrest of a 47-year-old Saugus man on multiple gun charges. Stephen Cooper pleaded not guilty in Lynn District Court to assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, two counts of assault and battery, disorderly conduct, discharging a fi rearm within 500 feet of a building, and assault and battery with a fi rearm, according to the Office of Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker. Authorities allege that Cooper shot a 32-year-old Melrose man in the leg on the evening of Sept. 24 on Lincoln Avenue in Cliftondale Square outside of the Banana Splitz ice cream shop. The Hon. Amanda Ward set bail at $50,000 and ordered Cooper to stay away from and have no contact with the alleged victim and witnesses, not possess fi rearms or dangerous weapons, and surrender his license to carry. Assistant District Attorney Thomas D’Amato, Jr. handled the arraignment on behalf of the Commonwealth. Cooper was represented by Attorney Peter Lemire. Cooper is scheduled to return to court for a pretrial hearing on Oct. 20. 23 24 16 15 27 34 39 20 22 28 33 33 22 21 27 31 33 42 2025 36 47 2024 31 40
11 Publizr Home