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

82% (2009)

64% (2008)

76% (2007)

88% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 57% in 2009.
Math

92% (2009)

73% (2008)

79% (2007)

78% (2006)
The state average for Math was 60% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 4
English Language Arts

64% (2009)

85% (2008)

88% (2007)

64% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 53% in 2009.
Math

62% (2009)

79% (2008)

72% (2007)

73% (2006)
The state average for Math was 48% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 5
Science

70% (2009)

81% (2008)

65% (2007)

74% (2006)
The state average for Science was 49% in 2009.
English Language Arts

95% (2009)

91% (2008)

92% (2007)

92% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 63% in 2009.
Math

84% (2009)

81% (2008)

65% (2007)

74% (2006)
The state average for Math was 54% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 6
English Language Arts

92% (2009)

85% (2008)

94% (2007)

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

87% (2009)

68% (2008)

86% (2007)

82% (2006)
The state average for Math was 57% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 7
English Language Arts

87% (2009)

97% (2008)

91% (2007)
The state average for English Language Arts was 70% in 2009.
Math

61% (2009)

71% (2008)

75% (2007)
The state average for Math was 49% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 8
Science

61% (2009)

49% (2008)

36% (2007)

58% (2006)
The state average for Science was 39% in 2009.
English Language Arts

100% (2009)

89% (2008)

94% (2007)

88% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 78% in 2009.
Math

74% (2009)

74% (2008)

58% (2007)

60% (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