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

29% (2008)

38% (2007)

35% (2006)

55% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 56% in 2008.
Math

54% (2008)

52% (2007)

35% (2006)
The state average for Math was 61% in 2008.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008
Grade 4
English Language Arts

16% (2008)

41% (2007)

22% (2006)

35% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 49% in 2008.
Math

52% (2008)

24% (2007)

25% (2006)

15% (2005)
The state average for Math was 49% in 2008.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008
Grade 5
Science

30% (2008)

41% (2007)

28% (2006)
The state average for Science was 50% in 2008.
English Language Arts

49% (2008)

59% (2007)

46% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 61% in 2008.
Math

33% (2008)

38% (2007)

39% (2006)
The state average for Math was 52% in 2008.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008
Grade 6
English Language Arts

77% (2008)

71% (2007)

54% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 67% in 2008.
Math

52% (2008)

39% (2007)

32% (2006)

49% (2005)
The state average for Math was 56% in 2008.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008
Grade 7
English Language Arts

74% (2008)

83% (2007)

86% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 69% in 2008.
Math

33% (2008)

40% (2007)
The state average for Math was 47% in 2008.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008
Grade 8
Science

22% (2008)

38% (2007)

15% (2006)
The state average for Science was 39% in 2008.
English Language Arts

72% (2008)

93% (2007)

79% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 75% in 2008.
Math

48% (2008)

59% (2007)

34% (2006)

32% (2005)
The state average for Math was 49% in 2008.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008
Grade 10
English Language Arts

92% (2008)

81% (2007)

89% (2006)

75% (2005)
The state average for English Language Arts was 74% in 2008.
Math

97% (2008)

84% (2007)

94% (2006)

79% (2005)
The state average for Math was 72% in 2008.
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2007-2008
About the Tests
- In 2007-2008 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