Last week, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released the results of the 2023 statewide MCAS assessments. Across all participating grade levels, Somerville Public Schools’ student scores remained relatively stable compared to 2022. Like most districts across the state, Somerville’s scores remain lower than pre-pandemic test scores, though the district continues to show progress toward its targets and has seen incremental increases in Student Growth Percentiles on assessments.

2023 MCAS data shows that 39% of SPS students in grades 3-8 met or exceeded expectations in English Language Arts (ELA), and 33% of students met or exceeded expectations in math. In grades 5 and 8, 36% of students met or exceeded expectations in science, and in grade 10, 37% met or exceeded expectations for math, 53% met or exceeded expectations for ELA, and 41% met or exceeded expectations for science.

“Unequivocally, we know that the pandemic had significant impacts on student achievement across the country. Data collected through annual assessments like MCAS is just one tool we use to focus on supporting students’ diverse needs both academically and socially-emotionally, especially accounting for gaps in achievement presented by an unprecedented shift in learning in 2020 and 2021,” said Superintendent of the Somerville Public Schools, Dr. Ruben Carmona. “As a district we are thinking not only about how we use summative data collected through MCAS, but are also utilizing new assessment tools through which we can monitor ongoing progress and adjust instructional and curricular choices throughout the school year, we are continuing the roll out of a new Illustrative Mathematics curriculum in our elementary schools, and we are continuing to implement innovative, high quality professional development opportunities, including the roll out of Common Planning Time for educators beginning next school year.”

The Somerville Public Schools’ commitment to educational excellence extends beyond the classroom. Wraparound services including access to quality out-of-school time, enrichment programs and curriculum, athletics, and birth-to-graduation support services and resources all contribute to the critical needs of all of SPS students. Through 2019, investments in these areas and in rigorous core curriculum saw SPS among the highest performing urban districts in the Commonwealth for Student Growth Percentile.

Dr. Carmona added, “With our continued investments in all of these areas, I am extremely confident that we will continue to see progress in these assessments year over year.”