MALDEN – The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released 2023 Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) results today, showing continued academic recovery from the pandemic. While overall results are still lower than they were in 2019, results in English language arts (ELA) scores and math were level or improved in all grades compared to 2022.
“Pandemic learning loss is a national problem, but these results show signs of recovery thanks to the hard work of educators, students, families, and staff,” said Education Secretary Patrick A. Tutwiler. “We know there is still much to be done, and we will continue to improve and strengthen our schools until every student can access the supports and resources they need to succeed.”
Districts continue to use federal COVID relief funds, increased state funding from the Student Opportunity Act, and grants from DESE to fund academic support in a variety of forms, from Acceleration Academies during school vacations to improved curriculum and materials. Districts have shown strong interest in grants and professional learning opportunities in areas such as early literacy, and DESE will continue to support districts in this work.
“Federal and state investments in pandemic recovery and in high-need districts are helping schools accelerate learning and support our students,” said Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Jeffrey C. Riley. “The Department will continue to partner with districts on early literacy, deeper learning initiatives, and more.”
The MCAS is one of the most highly regarded and rigorous state assessments in the nation, and today’s results appear to indicate that Massachusetts students’ academic achievement is beginning to rebound from the pandemic, even as some reports have suggested a continued national slide in achievement.
Also today, DESE released 2023 accountability results, the first full release of accountability data since 2019. This year’s information includes data on accountability indicators (download) such as graduation and chronic absenteeism rates, and it also includes school percentiles, determinations of each district’s and school’s need for assistance or intervention, and their progress toward goals in each indicator.
Detailed MCAS results:
Math: Compared to 2022, the percentage of students scoring Meeting or Exceeding Expectations in math increased by 2 percentage points in grades 3-8. The percentage of students who scored Meeting or Exceeding Expectations in Grade 10 remained the same.
| Grade | 2022 %M/E | 2023 %M/E | Change M/E 22-23 |
| 3-8 | 39% | 41% | +2 percentage pts. |
| 10 | 50% | 5% |
English language arts: English language arts scores increased in 2023 as compared to 2022. Of particular note: African American/Black 10th graders’ scores were higher in 2023 than in 2019.
| Grade | 2022 %M/E | 2023 %M/E | Change M/E 22-23 |
| 3-8 | 41% | 42% | +1 percentage pts. |
| 10 | 58% | 58% |
Science: Science scores decreased slightly in 2023. This spring was the second administration of the next-generation high school biology and introductory physics tests.
| Grade | 2022 %M/E | 2023 %M/E | Change M/E 22-23 |
| 5 | 43% | 42% | -1 percentage pts. |
| 8 | 42% | 41% | -1 percentage pts. |
| High School | 47% | 47% |
MCAS scores will be available online at https://profiles.doe.mass.edu/statereport/nextgenmcas.aspx.
A note about recent MCAS test administrations: When considering this year’s test results and how to compare them to previous years, it is helpful to remember that, due to the pandemic, there were variations in how MCAS was administered over the last few years:
- 2019: Full tests in grades 3-8 and high school
- 2020: No MCAS tests administered
- 2021: Half tests in grades 3-8, full tests in high school
- 2022: Full tests in grades 3-8 and high school
- 2023: Full tests in grades 3-8 and high school
About Accountability Results:
The vast majority of schools – 83 percent – that received an accountability designation were identified as “not requiring assistance or intervention.” Sixty-two percent of schools met, exceeded or made “Substantial Progress Towards” their accountability targets.
This year, as we did prior to the pandemic, DESE is identifying a number of Schools of Recognition for their strong growth or overall achievement. This year’s group includes 66 of these schools across the Commonwealth, from Cape Cod Regional Vocational Technical High School in Harwich to Northampton High School in Western Mass. The list also includes four schools each from the Boston and Wellesley public schools, three schools each in Newton and Springfield, two other technical high schools besides Cape Cod Regional Vocational Technical, and one charter school (Conservatory Lab Charter School in Boston).
District and school accountability data will be available at https://profiles.doe.mass.edu/statereport/accountability.aspx.
Commissioner Riley has not made entry or exit decisions on Under or Chronically Underperforming schools. All schools previously identified by the Commissioner as Underperforming or Chronically Underperforming have maintained that status as part of today’s release, and each school’s status will be evaluated by the Commissioner in the coming weeks.