Norton MCAS Performance
Updated December 27, 2007
Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

MCAS testing measures our performance against the State Curriculum Frameworks.   It is the most objective measure of how our schools are performing.  This past year 16 tests were administered throughout seven grades.  We are at state average in most areas, but are about 15% below area communities such as Mansfield and Easton.  English and Language Arts are our strengths, particularly in the upper grades.  Math and Science/Technology are our weaknesses. 

MCAS Presentation to School Committee
By Amy Berdos and Sharon Roberts , Curriculum Coordinators

    In general, our deficiencies are due to a combination of issues that are being addressed either ongoing or as funding allows.  Those would include inadequate textbooks and supporting instructional supplies, professional development shortfalls, classroom instruction techniques and strategies.   Everyone is working very hard (and smart) to improve our MCAS scores.

The highlight this year is the improvement in Middle School Math and Yelle School English Language Arts.   

 Below you will find detailed 4-year trend graphs.  There were six new tests that began in 2006, identified by only two year of bars.  The comparison to the state average can be found by clicking on Compared to State page above. 

The AYP (adequate yearly progress) report is also available on a separate page above, which shows how well we are progressing or improving against expected annual goals set by the state. 

The CPI score (composite performance index highlighted in yellow) under the summary grid below is the best indicator of how well we are achieving the goal of getting all students to the Proficient/Advanced levels.  This raised threshold is now a graduation requirement starting with the class of 2010.  Students in the Needs Improvement category will now need to improve to Proficient to graduate (the raw score requirement was recently increased from 220 to 240).  The CPI score is against a scale of 100.  A 100 score would mean all students scored in Proficient/Advanced.  As you will see,  Math and Science/Technology are our largest concerns in the pre-HS grades with CPI's in the 70's.  There has been about an 8% improvement in these scores over the past year which is a very promising trend and a tribute to the successful work being done by the teachers and administrators.

Passing the Science and Technology test is now a graduation requirement starting with the class of 2010.  Our 5th and 8th grade Science/Tech test results show we have a lot of work to do in that area to prepare students for the grade 10 Science/Tech test. 

MCAS Question of the Day

MCAS Question Search - generate a custom set of MCAS released questions by grade, subject and type

For more information about other towns click:  http://profiles.doe.mass.edu/