Massachusetts Students Struggle with MCAS Test Scores Post-Pandemic

Massachusetts students continue to face challenges in recovering from the learning disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the latest results from the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS). State officials report that students have not yet returned to pre-pandemic achievement levels, with no student group statewide showing scores comparable to those from 2019.

Pedro Martinez, the commissioner of elementary and secondary education in Massachusetts, stated, “We have no student group statewide that is at pre-pandemic levels of achievement. These results are sobering, but they’re not insurmountable.” The urgency of this situation has prompted the administration of Governor Maura Healey to prioritize early literacy initiatives and address chronic absenteeism as part of its strategy to enhance student performance.

MCAS Test Results Overview

The data reveals significant disparities in performance across different grade levels. While students in grades 3-8 showed a modest improvement of 3 percentage points in English language arts compared to last year, 10th graders experienced a decline of 6 percentage points. Both groups remain 10 percentage points behind their 2019 scores. In mathematics, the percentage of students meeting or exceeding expectations for grades 3-8 remained stable, but 10th graders saw a drop of 3 percentage points, falling 14 percentage points below their pre-pandemic achievement levels.

This year marked a notable shift for high school students taking the MCAS, as it was no longer a graduation requirement. Rob Curtin, the head of data for the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, noted that this change might have influenced the disappointing results. “We do have some evidence that there was an impact of Question 2 here,” Curtin stated, emphasizing the need for further investigation into these findings.

Town-by-Town Performance Analysis

Despite the overall challenges, some schools have made progress. Approximately 55% of schools either met or exceeded their accountability targets this year, a slight decrease from 60% in 2024. Notably, 63 districts have achieved or surpassed the 2019 performance levels in grades 3-8. The districts that succeeded in both English and math include Amherst, Arlington, Benjamin Banneker Charter School, Central Berkshire, Cohasset, Excel Academy Charter School, Farmington River Regional, Libertas Academy Charter School, Pioneer Charter School of Science, Rowe, Sizer School: A North Central Charter Essential, Wakefield, and Williamsburg.

The state education department is committed to addressing the learning losses encountered during the pandemic. As efforts continue, stakeholders are hopeful that targeted interventions will lead to improved outcomes in the future. For detailed results from specific towns, residents can access the state’s education department resources.