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

44% (2009)

48% (2008)

46% (2007)

54% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 57% in 2009.
Math

48% (2009)

51% (2008)

28% (2007)

50% (2006)
The state average for Math was 60% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 4
English Language Arts

43% (2009)

38% (2008)

36% (2007)

32% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 53% in 2009.
Math

28% (2009)

25% (2008)

23% (2007)

19% (2006)
The state average for Math was 48% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 5
Science

33% (2009)

37% (2008)

33% (2007)

30% (2006)
The state average for Science was 49% in 2009.
English Language Arts

48% (2009)

44% (2008)

41% (2007)

35% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 63% in 2009.
Math

43% (2009)

50% (2008)

25% (2007)

23% (2006)
The state average for Math was 54% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 6
English Language Arts

68% (2009)

67% (2008)

62% (2007)

54% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 66% in 2009.
Math

65% (2009)

60% (2008)

46% (2007)

34% (2006)
The state average for Math was 57% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 7
English Language Arts

94% (2009)

73% (2008)

54% (2007)
The state average for English Language Arts was 70% in 2009.
Math

42% (2009)

55% (2008)

32% (2007)
The state average for Math was 49% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 8
Science

11% (2009)

29% (2008)

26% (2007)

43% (2006)
The state average for Science was 39% in 2009.
English Language Arts

97% (2009)

84% (2008)

84% (2007)

74% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 78% in 2009.
Math

55% (2009)

76% (2008)

37% (2007)

66% (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