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LAWRENCE - The Massachusetts Department of Education released the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) test scores last week, showing an increase in the percentage of students passing in Mathematics in all grade levels in the Lawrence Public Schools. The largest gains were noted in the middle schools, where there was an increase of 7% of students passing in grade six, and an increase of 4% of students passing in grade eight. Math gains are attributed to the continued success of teachers to move students towards a basic level of mathematics understanding, as well as the addition of a new math text book to supplement the district’s math curriculum. The Middle school also saw gains in the percentage of students passing on the 7th Grade English Language Arts test with an increase of 3% passing— 82% of all seventh grade students passed the ELA component of the test. There was a marginal (1%) decrease, and increase (also 1%) in the Grade 4 ELA and Grade 3 Reading tests respectively. “We know where the gaps in achievement are and we are making the instructional adjustments and curriculum decisions that will allow us to stay focused on student achievement. I am excited by the trend of improvement this district has established during the past five years—teachers and students have worked incredibly hard for the gains that have been made and we celebrate those gains,” said Superintendent Laboy. At Lawrence High School, the percentage of students earning competency determination continues to improve each year. From the class of 2003 there were 75% of students who earned competency to the class of 2005, where 86% of students passed the ELA and Math MCAS assessments. The most marked improvements are measured over the past five years. Students in the 10th grade who took the MCAS test in ELA in 2000 showed 37% of students passing. This year, 66% of students earned a passing score—a gain of over 30% in five years. Comparably in Math, students who took the Math component of the MCAS test resulted in 23% of students passing. In 2005, 56% of students passed—again and increase of over 30% of students. Mayor Sullivan said, “It is easy to focus on the annual results and get lost in the comparison between this district and other districts. It is of equal importance to recognize the grounds the students have gained during the past five years since that growth is the most accurate indicator of future success.”
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