Salem Subgroups Show Some Gains on 10th Grade ELA MCAS Exam

Here we discussed the gains Lynn 10th graders have made on the 10th grade ELA MCAS exam in response to a Boston Public School press release reporting the same information. Now let's take a look at Salem High School. 

 

Because the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education does not report data for sample sizes less than 10, there is only information for White and Hispanic/Latino students for all years between 2009 and 2013. Over the last four years, the proficiency rate among Hispanic/Latino students has increased 21 points, while proficiency rates for White students increased 7 points over the same time period. In 2013, 100% of Asian students enrolled at Salem High School were either advanced or proficient on the 10th grade ELA exam. 

This year the 10th grade proficiency rate by race/ethnicity statewide were as follows:

• African American: 83%
• Asian: 92%
• Hispanic/Latino: 79%
• White: 95%

Overall, 91% of 10th grade students in Massachusetts were Proficient or Advanced on the ELA exam.


When we look at proficiency rates by income status, we see that the gap between Low Income and Non-Low Income students has narrowed during the last four years.
 

In 2009, the gap was 29 points; in 2013, it had decreased to 16 points. Statewide, 82% of Low Income and 95% of Non-Low Income students were proficient or Advanced in ELA.

 

Since 2009, the proficiency rates of 'Students with Disabilities' has increased 16 points. The proficiency rates of English Language Learner/Former English Language Learner students has increased considerably since 2011, though there was a slight decrease from 2012 to 2013. Overall, 57% of ELL/Former ELL and 66% of Students with Disabilities in the state were Proficient or Advanced on the 10th grade ELA exam. 

All data taken from: www.doe.mass.edu