With the annual MCAS results out, school officials and educational leaders are trying to frame the test scores and performance indicators in ways that let parents, teachers and students know what they mean for their educational future.
At first glace, the scores have largely remained stagnant across the board statewide. But districts like Somerville, Massachusetts, are touting high scores.
"Our growth ranks us in the top 15% in the state," said Somerville Schools Superintendent Dr. Tony Pierantozzi.
Dr. Pierantozzi says he believes his district's key to continued success is focusing on more than just performing to the test.
"Our success is basically because we are really focused on aligning everything we do - everything we do is about student learning," said Dr. Pierantozzi.
But on the flip side, this year officials have designated six more schools as "underperforming" - three in Springfield, one in Worcester and two in Boston. And the group Families for Excellent Schools is calling on school leaders in Boston to involve parents and the city's new education chief to make transformational changes to all schools.
"What was troubling was that in 40 schools across the city only a third of the children are at grade level when it comes to reading or math," said Raiyan Syed, state director for Families for Excellent Schools.
Boston Public Schools Interim Superintendent John McDonough says in urban districts with high poverty rates, and large numbers of English Language Learners, they also have to focus on progress year to year.
"While it's clear that we have a large gap to close. I think it's also important to note that our rate of growth continues to outperform the state's rate of growth," said McDonough.
He says the district is already looking at the more successful schools in Boston to use as a framework to put together a plan based on strategic use of extended time, building a collaborative community of committed teachers and focusing on social-emotional supports necessary for student success.
"Our goal is to have every student proficient, make no mistake about that," said McDonough.
