Student Achievement & Growth Teaching and learning in the Newton Public Schools is assessed using national, state, and local instruments. Since 1998, student progress has been measured, in part, using the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS). In addition to MCAS, other summative test measures include Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT), American College Testing (ACT), and Advanced Placement (AP) tests. In addition to these large-scale assessments, Newton Public Schools assesses students more frequently using a variety of other assessments chosen for different purposes. Newton Public Schools currently uses Star assessments for benchmarking three times a year in English Language Arts and Math in grades kindergarten through nine. These assessments are done during key points of the school year and reports are sent home to parents that detail their student's progress. The data from these assessments is incorporated into our multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) structure. Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) Next Generation The MCAS Next Generation Tests began in 2017 and students in Grade 3 through 10 take one to four annual assessments in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Science & Technology/Engineering (STE), and Civics. The general achievement level definitions for all MCAS assessments are displayed below. Achievement Level Scaled Score Description Exceeding Expectations 530-560 Student demonstrated mastery of the subject matter
Student is academically on track to succeed in the current grade in this subject The school should consider whether the student needs additional academic assistance to succeed in this subject. The school should determine the coordinated academic assistance and additional instruction the student needs to succeed in this subject.
Meeting Expectations
500-529
Partially Meeting Expectations 470-499
Not Meeting Expectations
440-469
MCAS Tests 2024 8
The graphs below display the percentage of student meeting or exceeding expectations on the ELA, math, and STE since Spring 2019 (please note that the MCAS assessments were not administered in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). The Civics assessment was administered for the first time in Spring 2025 to students in eighth grade; in Newton, 72% of students were meeting or exceeding expectation in Civics.
8 DESE School & District Profiles/MCAS
-303-
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator