By NEIL ZOLOT
WAKEFIELD — The 2025 Average Scaled Scores for the state Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) test indicate local students are meeting expectations and are above state averages in the seven categories measured by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
As a result DESE has classified the school system as Not Requiring Assistance or Intervention and Making Moderate Progress Towards Goals. They measured the school as having achieved 45 percent progress towards goals.
“It’s an excellent trend and is a testament to the work of curriculum coordinators and teachers,” Superintendent Doug Lyons said at the School Committee meeting Tuesday, October 28. “Our teachers are doing exceptional work.”
“Everybody’s working towards the same goals,” Assistant Superintendent Kara Mauro. “It’s a collaborative effort.”
Specifically, Grades 3-8 English Language Arts scores are 502 and Grade 10 ELA 503; Grades 3-8 Math 501 and Grade 10 Math 501; and Grades 5 and 8 Science 502 and Grade 10 Science 505. New Grade 8 Civics is at 502. The numbers all meet DESE definitions of Meeting Expectations of 500-530 and are above state averages of 494 for Grades 3-8 ELA and Math and Grades 5 and 8 Science and Technology, 495 for Grade 8 Civics, 497 for Grade 10 Science, 498 for Grade 10 Math and 499 for Grade 10 ELA. (Scores of 440-470 are considered Not Meeting Expectations, 470-500 as Partially Meeting Expectations, 500-530 as Meeting Expectations and 530-580 as Exceeding Expectations.)
Wakefield is in a DESE MCAS cohort with 10 other communities. North Andover is probably the most similar to Wakefield. It’s scores are similar. Some are slightly higher, some are slightly lower at 498 for Grades 3-8 ELA and 505 for Grade 10 ELA; 501 for Grades 3-8 Math and 503 for Grade 10 Math; 498 for Grades 5 and 8 Science 502 and 506 for Grade 10 Science 505; and 502 for Grade 8 Civics.
DESE seems to avoid placing neighboring communities in the same cohort, perhaps so test scores won’t affect real estate values or create friction, but often neighboring communities do provide the best comparison. Often the best benchmark is the school the football team plays Thanksgiving Day, in Wakefield’s case Melrose.
Melrose’s scores are higher in all categories at 506 for Grades 3-8 ELA and 516 for Grade 10 ELA; 506 for Grades 3-8 Math and 507 for Grade 10 Math; 501 for Grades 5 and 8 Science and 510 for Grade 10 Science 505; and 507 for Grade 8 Civics.
“We don’t feel like we’re where we want to be, but we feel things are moving in the right direction,” Mauro said.
“Things are trending in a positive direction,” Lyons added. “There’s no secret. Teachers need positive space with current materials. Quality material gets the best results.”
So-called High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) are comprehensive, evidence-based resources that align with content standards. It might mean something as simple as up-to-date history or science books, literature that reflects a diverse society and up-to-date assessment tools.
Is there Low or Medium Quality Instructional Material? Yes and no, because what was once HQIM may not be anymore. Mauro said some material doesn’t align with state standards or doesn’t anymore, often a result of what a community can afford to have.
MCAS is not as important as it used to be since a ballot question last year removed it as a requirement for graduating high school, reading, “For a student to receive a diploma the proposed law would require the student to complete coursework certified by the student’s district as demonstrating mastery of the competencies contained in the state academic standards.” Town voters approved it 9,295 to 6,681.
The vote did not eliminate the test, however. “Whether you believe it should be a graduation requirement or not, it provides key data points,” School Committee Chairman Keven Fontanella said.
He thinks middle school data may be more important to look at than high school scores because it shows trends going into high school.
School Committee member Stephen Ingalls asked what impact not having MCAS as a graduation requirement has had.
“I’ve heard simple feedback,” Mauro answered. “I don’t have any evidence kids don’t try as hard, but it’s taken the pressure off.