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

26% (2009)

13% (2008)

28% (2007)

26% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 57% in 2009.
Math

30% (2009)

18% (2008)

12% (2007)

22% (2006)
The state average for Math was 60% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 4
English Language Arts

23% (2009)

11% (2008)

27% (2007)

9% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 53% in 2009.
Math

18% (2009)

26% (2008)

24% (2007)

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

18% (2009)

32% (2008)

31% (2007)

13% (2006)
The state average for Science was 49% in 2009.
English Language Arts

24% (2009)

32% (2008)

34% (2007)

15% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 63% in 2009.
Math

20% (2009)

33% (2008)

15% (2007)

9% (2006)
The state average for Math was 54% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 6
English Language Arts

32% (2009)

35% (2008)

23% (2007)

40% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 66% in 2009.
Math

36% (2009)

21% (2008)

15% (2007)

20% (2006)
The state average for Math was 57% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 7
English Language Arts

34% (2009)

40% (2008)

40% (2007)
The state average for English Language Arts was 70% in 2009.
Math

13% (2009)

2% (2008)

20% (2007)
The state average for Math was 49% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 8
Science

5% (2009)

0% (2008)

3% (2007)

5% (2006)
The state average for Science was 39% in 2009.
English Language Arts

51% (2009)

44% (2008)

61% (2007)

38% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 78% in 2009.
Math

16% (2009)

43% (2008)

21% (2007)

5% (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