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NORTHBRIDGE, Mass. – Students in the K-12 Northbridge Public School district did close to, and in some areas better, than the state average in the spring 2012 MCAS tests, according to information released Wednesday by the state Department of Education.
Northbridge students showed their best effort in English, with 16 percent scoring at an advanced and 53 percent at a proficient level. The state average was 19 percent advanced and 50 percent proficient.
In math, Northbridge students matched the state with a 32 percent proficient level, but at the advanced level, Northbridge students, at 18 percent, didn't do as well with the state average of 27 percent.
In science and technology, Northbridge scored a 39 percent average at the proficient level compared to the state’s 37 percent. At the advanced level, Northbridge scored 14 percent compared to the state’s 17 percent.
The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System is designed to meet the requirements of the Education Reform Law of 1993. Students are tested annually and must pass the Grade 10 tests in English language arts, math and one of the four high school science and engineering/technology tests to receive their diploma.
Grade 10 scores for Northbridge High School, compared to the state test scores were:
English/Language Arts: 90 percent of Northbridge students scored proficient or higher compared to 88 percent in the state. Nine percent of state students showed the need for improvement, 8 percent of Northbridge students scored in that category and 2 percent of Northbridge students failed compared to 3 percent statewide.
In math, 72 percent of Northbridge students scored proficient or higher, compared to 78 percent in the state. Nineteen percent of Northbridge students showed a need for improvement, compared to 15 percent at the state level, Eight percent of Northbridge students failed, compared to 7 percent on the state level.
In science and technology/engineering, 71 percent of Northbridge students scored proficient or higher, compared to 69 percent in the state. Twenty-five percent of state students showed the need for improvement, only 22 percent of Northbridge students scored in that category; 7 percent of Northbridge students failed compared to 6 percent at the state level.
Interim Schools Superintendent Nancy Spitulnik said administrators are analyzing scores in each school to target ways to improve. "Our goal is always to better," she said.
She plans a presentation to the School Committee on October 9 to talk about scores and strategies for improvement..
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