Superintendent presents MCAS 2022 results; committee finalizes evaluation and approves 2022–23 goals

Superintendent Jason reviewed the district's 2022 MCAS results at the Oct. 13 school committee meeting, stressing that the district compared 2022 scores to 2019 (not 2021) because the 2021 exam was abbreviated and not comparable.

He told the committee that in many grades the district did not decline as much as the statewide averages, citing fourth-grade ELA as an example: "If you look at fourth grade ELA ... the state went from 52% meeting or exceeding to 38%, and the district went from 36% to 46% — so we actually saw a 10% increase," Jason said. He also flagged middle-school performance as an area requiring urgent attention and previewed a fuller presentation of redesigned middle-school plans at the Oct. 27 meeting.

Following the data presentation, the committee completed Jason's public evaluation for 2021–22 (ratings by standard were reported) and then considered his proposed 2022–23 goals. The goals — which the superintendent said reflect committee feedback — focus on focused assessment and instructional leadership, environment and human-resources work, engagement and family partnership, and professional culture. The committee voted unanimously to approve the superintendent's goals for 2022–23.

Committee members said they would review detailed improvement plans at future meetings and noted that principals and instructional teams will report on steps to address identified gaps.