SAUGUS Check out the NEW ADVOCATE ONLINE: www.advocatenews.net OCODDV C TECATAT Vol. 25, No. 40 -FREE- www.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday 781-233-4446 Friday, October 7, 2022 FALL FAMILY FESTIVAL FUN How are we growing? Saugus MCAS scores rank in the bottom quarter of schools in Mass., but Supt. McMahon sees progress By Mark E. Vogler T he percentage of Saugus students meeting or exceeding expectations in English Language Arts dropped by 9 percent over the past year, according to the spring 2022 Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) test results released last week by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). But Saugus Public Schools Superintendent Erin McMahon cited a silver lining in the data that she said refl ects progress in that category: Student growth increased by 12 percent. “More kids are growing [in test scores] even though we were not as profi cient. Student growth among the kids that are not proficient. That’s the real story here,” McMahon said. McMahon launched a fi veFriends Lennox Ricketts, 4, and Michael Brown, 2, enjoyed hanging out at the giant pumpkin display last Saturday at Breakheart Reservation. Please see inside for story and more photos of the First Annual Fall Family Festival. (Saugus Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) year plan when she took over as the town’s educational chief last year to lead Saugus from the bottom 10 percent of state high schools as measured by both math and reading on MCAS to the top 10 percent. These are the composite results of Saugus MCAS scores this spring compared to last year: • 34 percent of the 1,202 stu~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS....Bring the whole family to this charming 8 room, 5 bedroom Garrison Colonial. First level boasts chef’s kitchen with an abundance of maple cabinets, granite counters, double wall oven, sub-zero refrigerator, ceramic tile flooring and back splash, opens to formal dining room w/ slider to deck overlooking yard, entertainment-size, fireplace living room and three season porch, two bedrooms and half bath complete the first floor. Well designed second floor addition offers front-to-back primary bedroom with three closest, palladium window and unique window seating w/storage, two additional spacious bedrooms, full bath with double sinks and convenient laundry area. Lower level waiting to be finished with high ceilings, half bath and convenient walk-out to yard, spacious deck overlooking private, well-manicured yard with storage shed. Located in desirable Lynnhurst neighborhood. Offered at $679,900 335 Central Street, Saugus, MA 01906 (781) 233-7300 View the interior of this home right on your smartphone. View all our listings at: CarpenitoRealEstate.com 68 dents in grades 3 through 8 met or exceeded expectations in English Language Arts, compared to 43 percent last year. • 35 percent of the 1,204 students in grades 3 through 8 met or exceeded expectations in Mathematics, compared to 26 percent last year. • 42 percent of the 412 students in grades 5 and 8 met or exceeded expectations in Science and Technology, compared to 38 percent last year. “While we do not expect to see signifi cant change in student achievement in a single year, we are proud to see students’ growth in math and working hard to become better readers and writers,” Superintendent McMahon told The Saugus Advocate. “We are grateful for the hardworking teachers and paraprofessionals in Saugus for their dedication and commitment to students,” McMahon said. “We saw that through a 25 point increase in student growth in elementary and middle school mathematics; and almost 20 point increase in student growth in 10th grade mathematics,” she said. The superintendent off ered a summary of this year’s MCAS results: • Saugus Public Schools saw a signifi cant increase in proficiency in mathematics in grades 3-8 and student growth jumped 25 points to “typical growth for the state (40-59).” Grade 10 saw a modest 2.5% increase in profi ciency but saw an almost 20% increase in student growth. • In science, Saugus saw no GROWING | SEE PAGE 3
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