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

36% (2009)

29% (2008)

38% (2007)

35% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 57% in 2009.
Math

46% (2009)

54% (2008)

52% (2007)

35% (2006)
The state average for Math was 60% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 4
English Language Arts

34% (2009)

16% (2008)

41% (2007)

22% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 53% in 2009.
Math

48% (2009)

52% (2008)

24% (2007)

25% (2006)
The state average for Math was 48% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 5
Science

23% (2009)

30% (2008)

41% (2007)

28% (2006)
The state average for Science was 49% in 2009.
English Language Arts

59% (2009)

49% (2008)

59% (2007)

46% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 63% in 2009.
Math

51% (2009)

33% (2008)

38% (2007)

39% (2006)
The state average for Math was 54% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 6
English Language Arts

78% (2009)

77% (2008)

71% (2007)

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

42% (2009)

52% (2008)

39% (2007)

32% (2006)
The state average for Math was 57% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 7
English Language Arts

93% (2009)

74% (2008)

83% (2007)
The state average for English Language Arts was 70% in 2009.
Math

51% (2009)

33% (2008)

40% (2007)
The state average for Math was 49% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 8
Science

24% (2009)

22% (2008)

38% (2007)

15% (2006)
The state average for Science was 39% in 2009.
English Language Arts

96% (2009)

72% (2008)

93% (2007)

79% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 78% in 2009.
Math

45% (2009)

48% (2008)

59% (2007)

34% (2006)
The state average for Math was 48% in 2009.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 10
English Language Arts

95% (2009)

92% (2008)

81% (2007)

89% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 81% in 2009.
Math

95% (2009)

97% (2008)

84% (2007)

94% (2006)
The state average for Math was 75% 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