Dedham School District Shows "Substantial Progress": MCAS

DEDHAM, MA — Massachusetts released the results for the latest round of MCAS tests, the number of Dedham students meeting or exceeding expectations was at or above state averages on nine of 16 assessments. Improvements were made as Dedham Public Schools achieved the "substantial progress" distinction on the state's new accountability system. The state uses the tests as a key guide to performance of its schools and as part of its effort to bring accountability to the education system.

The district received a two-year cumulative rating of 51 percent. For 2019 alone, results were even higher – 62 percent of progress toward targets.

Of the six schools in the district, three were classified as "making substantial progress towards target" Three were classified as making "moderate progress." None of the schools will require intervention or assistance under the state's accountability system.

Dedham Accountability Designations

• Dedham High School - making substantial progress towards target
• Dedham Middle School - making substantial progress towards target
• Riverdale Elementary - making substantial progress towards target
• Oakdale Elementary - making moderate progress towards target
• Greenlodge Elementary - making moderate progress towards target
• Avery Elementary - making moderate progress towards target

This is the second year of the state's accountability system, marketed as a more "comprehensive look" at districts and schools in specific. The designations are given based on how districts and schools perform in six different categories:

• MCAS achievement in English Language Arts (ELA), Math and Science/Technology/Engineering (STE)
• MCAS growth in ELA and Math
• High school completion rates
• Progress toward English language proficiency for English learners
• Chronic absenteeism (missing 10% or more of a student's membership)
• High school advanced coursework completion.

On the new, more rigorous English exam for 10th-graders, 57 percent of Dedham, students exceeded or met expectations — below the 61 percent statewide average. Dedham 10th-graders did better on a tougher math exam with 71 percent exceeding or meeting expectations, well above the 59 percent who met that mark across Massachusetts.

The district did better than the state average on seven of the 16 MCAS exams. Those include:

• Math Grade 5 - 54 percent meeting or exceeding expectations compared to 48 percent statewide
• English Grade 6 - 61 percent meeting or exceeding expectations compared to 53 percent statewide
• Math Grade 6 - 60 percent meeting or exceeding expectations compared to 52 percent statewide
• Math Grade 7 - 54 percent meeting or exceeding expectations compared to 48 percent statewide
• Math Grade 8 - 51 percent meeting or exceeding expectations compared to 46 percent statewide
• Grade 8 Science - 47 percent meeting or exceeding expectations compared to 46 percent statewide
• Grade 10 - 53 percent meeting or exceeding expectations compared to 49 percent statewide

The state rolled out "next generation" tests in 2019, which have much higher expectations, especially in math and English. The tougher test meant scores were lower across the state compared to 2018.

Sixty-one percent of 10th-graders statewide met or exceeded expectations on the new English MCAS, while 59 percent hit that mark for the math exam. Both percentages were well below the results from 2018, when 91 percent met those parameters for English while 78 percent scored at that level on the old math exam.

Thankfully for students, the state is taking that into account when determining passing scores. For the next two years, the passing score will be at the upper end of the "not meeting expectations" category.

Check out the complete break down of Dedham's scores on the MCAS results released Tuesday.