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

77% (2009)

70% (2008)

71% (2007)

61% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 57% in 2009.
Math

90% (2009)

83% (2008)

65% (2007)

55% (2006)
The state average for Math was 60% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 4
English Language Arts

67% (2009)

60% (2008)

57% (2007)

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

56% (2009)

49% (2008)

54% (2007)

61% (2006)
The state average for Math was 48% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 5
Science

63% (2009)

48% (2008)

66% (2007)

64% (2006)
The state average for Science was 49% in 2009.
English Language Arts

78% (2009)

66% (2008)

81% (2007)

71% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 63% in 2009.
Math

73% (2009)

63% (2008)

79% (2007)

66% (2006)
The state average for Math was 54% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 6
English Language Arts

74% (2009)

80% (2008)

80% (2007)

90% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 66% in 2009.
Math

66% (2009)

77% (2008)

64% (2007)

84% (2006)
The state average for Math was 57% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 7
English Language Arts

90% (2009)

82% (2008)

93% (2007)
The state average for English Language Arts was 70% in 2009.
Math

77% (2009)

77% (2008)

76% (2007)
The state average for Math was 49% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 8
Science

50% (2009)

71% (2008)

59% (2007)

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

94% (2009)

100% (2008)

88% (2007)

83% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 78% in 2009.
Math

81% (2009)

91% (2008)

81% (2007)

68% (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