If you are satisfied with mediocrity, then you will like the spring 2013 MCAS results. Because what you will see is what you have been seeing for the past 3 years. I have summarized the last 3 years of MCAS results on the attached graphs. Needs Improvement & Warning/Fail values have been combined as well as Proficient & Higher values for each of the last 3 years to obtain a better picture of our progress. Of those subjects tested in grades 3 through 10, 9 out of 17 increased in percentages in the Needs Improvement/Warning category from 2012 to 2013. Similar results are evident when comparing 2013 results with those of 2011. This demonstrates that there has been little improvement in reducing the number of students scoring in the Needs Improvement & Warning/Fail categories.
However, it must be acknowledged that there has been some progress made in improving MCAS results in the Proficient & Higher category. Of those subjects tested in grades 3 through 10, 9 out of 17 increased in percentages in the Proficient & Higher category from 2012 to 2013. The 2013 results are even better when compared to 2011 results.
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Boston Magazine came out recently with their rating of school systems and rated Melrose 92nd out of the 147 schools evaluated. Melrose ranked closer to the bottom third than to the top third of schools evaluated. Melrose ranking in this same poll in 2012 was 94th. We know that we can do better for our students than this! We need the school committee and superintendent to commit in doing so.
10/6/13 Update: US News & World Report came out recently with their ranking of 50 top MA high schools and Malden came in 39th while the Mystic Valley Regional Charter school came in 8th. Guess where Melrose landed? A no-show.....didn't make the list! Let's see how our Mayor and school committee spin this!
