MCAS test results in Massachusetts continue to lag behind pre-pandemic levels

The 2024 MCAS results show a more mixed outcome than the positive 2023 results and remain well below pre-pandemic levels, state education officials said in an embargoed briefing.

“Today, these data show that initial progress is emerging,” said State Secretary Patrick Tutwiler. “We still have the best schools in the country and the highest standards that make us competitive. Some of you may have heard me say before that change in education is a process. The road back from the pandemic is not short.”

In 2024, English/Language and Literature (ELA) scores showed lower performance across all grade levels than in 2023, while math remained relatively unchanged across most grade levels and science showed mixed results compared to the previous year.

The mixed results come after Massachusetts authorities announced that “recovery is well underway” in response to the 2023 results, which showed the first significant positive increases in scores since 2019. While the 2023 results increased or remained constant from 2022 in most grade levels, they remained well below those of 2019.

The results come weeks before a ballot question to repeal the MCAS graduation requirement is scheduled to go before voters in the November general election.

The declines in ELA scores in 2024 hit younger grades hardest, with declines of up to 5% in total scores starting in 2023, and remain largely unchanged for eighth- and tenth-graders, DESE data show.

In mathematics, third grade was the “highlight” as it was the only result to show a positive increase compared to 2023, while all others remained relatively unchanged and tenth grade declined, according to DESE data. In science, there were improvements in grades 5 and 10 compared to 2023 and declines in grade 8.

This is the first year after passing grades were raised for the Class of 2026, tenth graders last year. In August 2022, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education raised the grades required to meet Educational Proficiency Plan (EPP) and Competency Determination (CD) standards.

If a student passes the CD, he or she has passed the exam, while students who pass the EPP have passed the exam but must complete a locally administered plan.

For the class of 2026, the ELA standard for both was raised significantly, and the math EPP standard was raised only slightly.