New MCAS measurements show Randolph students gaining

“These data are the latest indication that the Randolph community’s reinvestment in the schools, and the sustained efforts by the staff and students to turn around Randolph’s schools, are yielding achievement results,’’ said Superintendent Richard Silverman in an announcement.

According to the “Growth Model’’ results, Randolph’s eighth- and 10th-graders improved their math performance at a significantly higher rate than students in other schools across the state.

Among the Randolph results:

■Asian, African-American, and low-income eighth-graders had the highest improvement rate in math in the state.

■Eighth-graders had the fourth-highest rate of improvement in math.

■African-American 10th-graders’ English language arts and math scores were among the most improved.

Until now a school’s MCAS performance was based on comparisons of the same grade level from different years. Eighth-grade results, for example, would be compared with eight-grade scores from previous years.

That method remains, but the state has begun measuring individual students’ performance over several years. And schools are being assessed on whether their students are exceeding expectations over time or falling short.

The new system also is hailed as shining a more positive light on lower-performing schools. Although these schools may be in the middle of the pack or toward the bottom for MCAS scores, they are actually making a lot of progress in pushing up scores as students advance from one grade level to the next.

“I firmly believe that it is because of the teachers’ hard work in the classroom that we are seeing such tremendous growth,’’ said John Sheehan, principal at Randolph Community Middle School. “Our teachers deliver three important messages to our students: This is important work. You can do it. We will not give up on you. We know that through effort and determination, all students can achieve at high levels.’’

At a recent School Committee meeting, eight Randolph students were commended for earning perfect scores on last spring’s MCAS test. Fourth-graders Benjamin Geary, Diana Hardesty, Colin O’Neill, and Chigozie Sumani all earned perfects scores on the math test.

Fifth-grader Fabienne Dessalines got a perfect math score, eighth-grader Faith Ogbewe registered a perfect score on the English language arts exam, and eighth-grader Erica Shephard got a perfect score in math.

Hannah Donovan, a junior at the high school, was honored for perfect scores on both the biology and English language arts tests.

Contact Wendy Chow at wchow@globe.com.