Overview

• DESE reported grades 3–8 English language arts at 42% meeting or exceeding expectations, up 3 points from 2024 but about 10 points below 2019.
• Grades 3–8 math held at 41% meeting or exceeding expectations, flat year over year and roughly 8 points under 2019, with grade 10 scores declining in both subjects.
• Only 13 districts matched or beat their 2019 performance in both ELA and math, with far more districts recovering in math than in ELA.
• The MCAS is no longer tied to graduation for 10th graders, and state data officials noted signs of reduced test engagement such as more blank responses.
• Officials cited chronic absenteeism at 18.8% versus 13% before the pandemic and highlighted early literacy investments, while a working group outlined a path toward new statewide graduation standards with initial findings due this fall and a full roadmap next year.