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

75% (2009)

78% (2008)

71% (2007)

79% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 57% in 2009.
Math

85% (2009)

84% (2008)

94% (2007)

74% (2006)
The state average for Math was 60% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 4
English Language Arts

47% (2009)

56% (2008)

53% (2007)

50% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 53% in 2009.
Math

75% (2009)

47% (2008)

64% (2007)

37% (2006)
The state average for Math was 48% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 5
Science

36% (2009)

62% (2008)

50% (2007)

46% (2006)
The state average for Science was 49% in 2009.
English Language Arts

76% (2009)

73% (2008)

55% (2007)

70% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 63% in 2009.
Math

74% (2009)

33% (2008)

45% (2007)

16% (2006)
The state average for Math was 54% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 6
English Language Arts

58% (2009)

62% (2008)

67% (2007)

64% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 66% in 2009.
Math

43% (2009)

24% (2008)

26% (2007)

32% (2006)
The state average for Math was 57% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 7
English Language Arts

81% (2009)

59% (2008)

67% (2007)
The state average for English Language Arts was 70% in 2009.
Math

33% (2009)

23% (2008)

26% (2007)
The state average for Math was 49% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 8
Science

33% (2009)

26% (2008)

45% (2007)

23% (2006)
The state average for Science was 39% in 2009.
English Language Arts

70% (2009)

63% (2008)

85% (2007)

83% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 78% in 2009.
Math

33% (2009)

38% (2008)

40% (2007)

28% (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