Grade 3 learners show exceptional scores in statewide assessments

Somerville Public Schools is celebrating encouraging gains in student achievement and growth reflected in newly released MCAS results, particularly in mathematics and among younger learners.

In Grades 3 thru 8, results show a four percentage point increase in the share of students meeting or exceeding expectations in mathematics, the district’s strongest performance on this measure in the past four years. Third graders made notable gains in both math and ELA, signaling continued progress in foundational skills.

Math growth among third graders also improved, with an average student growth percentile (SGP) of 55. SPG measures how much a student’s academic performance has changed compared with other students with similar prior achievement.

SPS also saw gains among student groups, including a two percentage point increase in Grades 3–8 math achievement among students with disabilities. ELA achievement across Grades 3–8 remained steady at 40%, with average student growth holding at 50, which is considered moderate growth.

“These results reflect the hard work of our students and educators,” said Superintendent Dr. Rubén Carmona. “We are encouraged by the gains we are seeing, particularly in mathematics and among our youngest learners. District-wide implementation of Illustrative Mathematics, along with strengthened reading interventions for students with disabilities, are contributing to this progress. At the same time, we know that data is most valuable when it helps us identify where we can continue to grow.”

The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) is the statewide assessment program used to measure student learning and academic achievement in Massachusetts. It provides information about how students and schools are performing in areas such as English Language Arts, mathematics, and science, helping educators and districts identify strengths and areas for continued growth.

Somerville students also met or exceeded several state-set accountability targets, including Grades 3–8 math achievement and growth, ELA growth, and multilingual learner progress toward English language proficiency. At the high school level, students met targets for math and ELA achievement and growth, graduation rate, and chronic absenteeism.

The results also point to areas for continued improvement such as achievement at particular schools and among student subgroups, as well as specific indicators such as chronic absenteeism and dropout rate.

The district will use MCAS and Accountability results alongside classroom evidence, formative assessments, student experience, and educator expertise to guide ongoing improvement.

“Our goal is not simply to improve assessment scores,” said Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jessica Boston Davis. “It is to ensure that every student experiences rigorous, relevant, grade-level instruction and has the support they need to grow academically and thrive.”