Massachusetts MCAS Scores Reveal Ongoing Pandemic Learning Loss

Massachusetts students continue to face challenges in recovering from pandemic-related learning disruptions, according to the latest results from the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS). State education officials indicated that students remain behind their pre-pandemic performance levels, with no group achieving scores comparable to those recorded in 2019.

Pedro Martinez, the new commissioner of elementary and secondary education in Massachusetts, emphasized the importance of addressing these issues. He stated, “We have no student group statewide that is at pre-pandemic levels of achievement. These results are sobering, but they’re not insurmountable.”

Current Performance Trends

Data reveals a stark contrast in performance between high school students and those in grades 3-8. In English language arts, students in grades 3-8 experienced a modest increase of 3 percentage points from the previous year. However, grade 10 students saw a decline of 6 percentage points. Both groups now trail by 10 percentage points compared to their results in 2019.

In mathematics, the percentage of students meeting or exceeding expectations for grades 3-8 remained unchanged from last year. Conversely, there was a 3 percentage point decrease for 10th graders, who are now 14 percentage points behind their 2019 performance.

This year marked a significant change for high school students taking the MCAS, as they were aware that the test was no longer a graduation requirement. Rob Curtin, the head of data for the education department, noted the potential impact of this shift, stating, “We do have some evidence that there was an impact of Question 2 here. This is something we’ll be digging into more.”

Accountability and District Progress

Overall, 55% of schools in Massachusetts “made substantial progress toward, met or exceeded” their accountability targets this year, a decrease from 60% in 2024. Notably, 63 districts achieved or surpassed 2019 levels of performance in grades 3-8.

The districts that excelled in both English and math included Amherst, Arlington, Benjamin Banneker Charter School, Central Berkshire, Cohasset, Excel Academy Charter School, Farmington River Regional, Libertas Academy Charter School, Pioneer Charter School of Science, Rowe, Sizer School: A North Central Charter Essential, Wakefield, and Williamsburg.

The administration of Governor Maura Healey is prioritizing initiatives focused on early literacy and tackling chronic absenteeism as part of its strategy to enhance student performance. As the state grapples with these challenges, there remains a collective effort to foster recovery and improve educational outcomes for all students.

For further information on individual town results, residents can access detailed reports available from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.