MCAS scores dip for sophomores as science becomes requirement

September 16, 2008 11:07 AM Email| Comments (0)| Text size – +

By Jamie Vaznis and Andrew Ryan, Globe Staff

The percentage of sophomores who passed state standardized tests on the first try dropped by 7 points last year, the first time that a science exam became a requirement for a high school diploma, the Department of Education announced today.

Statewide, 80 percent of students in the class of 2010 passed the English, math, and science exams on their first try, down from 87 percent from the year before when the science test was not a graduation requirement.

Students in every grade made gains on the math portion of the test, resulting in the best math results in the history of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, according to the Department of Education. Scores on the English exam dipped in elementary grades and remained flat in middle schools, prompting education officials to call for a renewed focus on early literacy programs.

"Massachusetts students and teachers, particularly in our high schools, have given us another reason to be proud of them," Governor Deval Patrick said in a statement. "At the same time, we must do more to meet their needs. The Readiness Project will help."

In high school, passing the English and math MCAS became a graduation requirement for the class of 2003, and 68 percent of sophomores passed on the first try. By last year, that number had soared to a high of 87 percent.

The dip of 7 percentage points this year has a direct correlation to the science exam. According to the Department of Education, about 7 percent of the class of 2010 passed the English and math tests but fell short in science. Looking at the test separately, 93 percent of sophomores passed the English exam on the first try; 88 percent passed the math exam, and 83 percent passed the science exam.

Last week, education officials made it easier for students to earn a diploma without passing the new science MCAS test than those who fail the math and English sections. The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education adopted emergency rules that allow students who take the science exam just once and fail to file an appeal based largely on their grades in a comparable science course. By contrast, students have to take the English and math exams three times before filing an appeal of a failing score.

In lower grades, students showed gains on the science test. The percentage of eighth graders scoring proficient and higher increased 6 points from 2007 to 2008.

On the English exam, the percentage of students scoring proficient and higher declined in grades 3, 4, and 5 and remained flat in grades 6, 7, and 8. In high school, scores on the English exam increased.

“Our young people are achieving at high levels, and that is a testament to the hard work, dedication and commitment of our students, teachers, and administrators," Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester said in a statement. "That said, I remain concerned about the performance of students in our lower grades. It is our responsibility as educators to meet the needs of every child, in every grade, from every community, and these scores indicate we are not there yet."