Scale: % at or above proficient
Grade 3
English Language Arts

41% (2009)

66% (2008)

44% (2007)

48% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 57% in 2009.
Math

56% (2009)

68% (2008)

54% (2007)

50% (2006)
The state average for Math was 60% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 4
English Language Arts

35% (2009)

32% (2008)

50% (2007)

19% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 53% in 2009.
Math

37% (2009)

25% (2008)

38% (2007)

17% (2006)
The state average for Math was 48% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 5
Science

22% (2009)

44% (2008)

30% (2007)

27% (2006)
The state average for Science was 49% in 2009.
English Language Arts

49% (2009)

49% (2008)

42% (2007)

38% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 63% in 2009.
Math

37% (2009)

30% (2008)

17% (2007)

11% (2006)
The state average for Math was 54% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 6
English Language Arts

64% (2009)

51% (2008)

50% (2007)

49% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 66% in 2009.
Math

34% (2009)

32% (2008)

18% (2007)

6% (2006)
The state average for Math was 57% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 7
English Language Arts

64% (2009)

55% (2008)

55% (2007)
The state average for English Language Arts was 70% in 2009.
Math

31% (2009)

28% (2008)

15% (2007)
The state average for Math was 49% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 8
Science

29% (2009)

17% (2008)

10% (2007)

7% (2006)
The state average for Science was 39% in 2009.
English Language Arts

80% (2009)

61% (2008)

70% (2007)

74% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 78% in 2009.
Math

35% (2009)

30% (2008)

28% (2007)

14% (2006)
The state average for Math was 48% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
About the Tests
- In 2008-2009 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5 and 8 in science.
- The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement.
- The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts.
- The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.
Testing in Massachusetts: An Overview
See Massachusetts' state standards
Compare with test results from nearby schools