Dear Families,
Every fall, we will send you your child’s spring MCAS report as provided to APS by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). These MCAS scores include results from the Next-Generation MCAS tests, which are given in English language arts and mathematics to students in grades 3-8 and high school in the spring. Additionally, scores are provided for the MCAS assessments that are administered in science to grades 5, 8, and high school. Due to the relatively new testing format and scoring of the Next Generation tests, DESE has identified some important information for parents and students to understand the context of the results.
MCAS Results
On the next-generation MCAS, the four scoring categories are Exceeding Expectations, Meeting Expectations, Partially Meeting Expectations, and Not Meeting Expectations. These categories emphasize readiness for the next grade level. The achievement categories were established in 2017 by a comprehensive group of Massachusetts educators in collaboration with DESE and are designed to reflect what students need to know to be successful in the next grade.
When reviewing student scores, students, families and educators should keep in mind that:
• This is one data point that a teacher uses to support student learning. Teachers use multiple measures to look at the whole student and determine individualized instructional support for your child.
• The district is using the overall MCAS data to create strong-grade appropriate instruction with just-intime scaffolds when they are needed.
Massachusetts has the best public school system in the country according to many national measures and giving students a clearer signal of their readiness for the next grade level is an important part of that. To learn more about MCAS go to:
https://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/results.html
Accountability and Assistance Levels
As noted above, the state introduced an accountability system in 2018 which was designed to measure how a school or district is doing. This system is more comprehensive than the previous system and complies with the 2015 federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
The accountability system designates schools and districts as Meeting or Partially Meeting targets and either requiring or not requiring assistance or intervention. In addition to MCAS data, the system considers:
• Student achievement
• Student growth
• High school completion
• English proficiency
• Chronic absenteeism, and
• Advanced coursework
Accountability data will be included in school and district profiles and included on redesigned school and district report cards that are posted on the APS website. To learn more about the accountability system, go to: http://profiles.doe.mass.edu/ and http://www.doe.mass.edu/accountability/lists-tools.html.
We encourage you to continue supporting your child(ren) at home. Read to or with your child daily, ask questions about what they are learning in school and provide reinforcement, and spark their imagination. The Abington Public Schools are proud to collaborate with you to provide a great education for your child, and we appreciate your continued support in this effort.
Sincerely,
Christopher T. Basta, Ed.D. ~ Assistant Superintendent