New Bedford Public Schools MCAS results show similar trends to districts across the state

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released the 2021–2022 MCAS results for tests taken in spring 2022. New Bedford Public Schools MCAS results show similar trends to districts across the state.

Like numerous other school systems across the state, New Bedford Public Schools saw a decline in the percent of students meeting or exceeding grade level expectations for most grades in English Language Arts (ELA), except for 8th grade which increased by 4%. NBPS, unlike some other districts, demonstrated increases in Math at multiple grade levels. The 2022 Math scores reflect a positive growth in grades 3 – 8 with an increase by 5% of students meeting/exceeding grade level expectations and a level performance in grade 10. Notable increases in Math were in grade 6 with a jump of 7% of students meeting/exceeding and a Grade 3 increase of 12% from last year.

English Language Arts MCAS:

• NBPS decline in the % of students meeting or exceeding grade level expectations from 2019 to 2021 – like most other districts state-wide.
• The percentage of students meeting/exceeding grade level expectations in ELA declined in grades 3 – 8 by 5% from 2021 to 2022. STATE: decline by 5%.
• Grade 10 decline by 6% from 2021 to 2022. STATE decline by 6%

Highlights:
• Grade 8 increase by 4% from 2021 to 2022.
• STATE increase by 1%

Math MCAS:

• NBPS Math MCAS in 2022: increased from 17% to 22% for grades 3 – 8 meeting or exceeding expectations
• An increase from last year’s 17%, but not back to the 2019 level of 32%.
• NBPS 2022 math results: Grades 3–8 had an increase by 5% of students meeting/exceeding grade level expectations.
• STATE: increase by 6%
• Grade 10 – remained at the same level from 2021 to 2022.
• STATE decline by 2%

Highlights:
• Grade 3 Math increase by 12%. STATE increase by 8%.
• Grade 4 Math increase by 6%. STATE increase by 9%.
• Grade 6 Math increase by 7%. STATE increase by 9%.

Superintendent Thomas Anderson stated, “The results confirm what we already knew about the profound impact of two years of districtwide disruptions to attendance and in-person learning. It verifies the rigorous work we are doing to address it. Our continued implementation of effective systems and strategies to internally monitor our progress and provide supports to schools is making a difference. For example, our Student Services Department oversees home visits and works to strengthen communications with families to improve attendance. Students must be in school every day – attendance is a key component of student success. We are optimistic that because of the effective work and dedication of our entire faculty, staff and students, that our teaching and learning process will continue to grow.”

Over the last year, students have demonstrated recovery in some academic areas given the amount of challenges experienced. New Bedford Public Schools has every expectation that this positive trend will continue. MCAS results for all of Massachusetts school districts are published on the DESE website.