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

47% (2009)

52% (2008)

47% (2007)

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

55% (2009)

62% (2008)

56% (2007)

54% (2006)
The state average for Math was 60% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 4
English Language Arts

69% (2009)

61% (2008)

76% (2007)

57% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 53% in 2009.
Math

51% (2009)

71% (2008)

62% (2007)

58% (2006)
The state average for Math was 48% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 5
Science

45% (2009)

39% (2008)

40% (2007)

39% (2006)
The state average for Science was 49% in 2009.
English Language Arts

60% (2009)

58% (2008)

61% (2007)

60% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 63% in 2009.
Math

66% (2009)

54% (2008)

57% (2007)

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

74% (2009)

74% (2008)

79% (2007)

70% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 66% in 2009.
Math

64% (2009)

65% (2008)

83% (2007)

55% (2006)
The state average for Math was 57% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 7
English Language Arts

40% (2009)

64% (2008)

53% (2007)
The state average for English Language Arts was 70% in 2009.
Math

13% (2009)

41% (2008)

23% (2007)
The state average for Math was 49% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 8
Science

12% (2009)

8% (2008)

5% (2007)

0% (2006)
The state average for Science was 39% in 2009.
English Language Arts

69% (2009)

65% (2008)

55% (2007)

68% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 78% in 2009.
Math

33% (2009)

33% (2008)

32% (2007)

19% (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