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New MCAS results show gains in math, declines in English and science
Math scores held steady, but 10th-grade English fell 6 points as statewide performance remained below pre-pandemic levels, officials said.
- On Tuesday, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released 2026 MCAS results showing fewer students met English language arts standards compared to last year, while math scores remained stable at 41%.
- Lingering pandemic disruptions and chronic absenteeism drove the academic lag, with Department Commissioner Pedro Martinez noting that student motivation also factors into declining high school English scores.
- In grades 3 through 8, 40% of students met English standards, down two points from 2025, while 10th-grade English passing rates fell six points to 45%, marking a 16-point decline since 2019.
- Education Secretary Stephen Zrike highlighted the state's literacy bill requiring evidence-based curricula, while the state awarded nearly $24.7 million in August to 71 districts for literacy instruction and tutoring.
- Martinez announced a new 'North Star' strategic plan setting higher proficiency benchmarks by 2031 while seeking to eliminate the lowest achievement levels and maintain record graduation rates across Massachusetts.
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13 Articles
13 Articles
This year's student MCAS scores dip again, continuing trend since pandemic
With scores overall on the decline for years, there's now been a double-digit percentage point drop in students meeting state expectations in these core subjects since the pandemic disrupted schooling six years ago.
·Boston, United States
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‘Gut punch:’ 2026 MCAS English scores fall, all statewide scores remain behind pre-pandemic levels
In the 2026 MCAS standardized testing across Massachusetts, English scores slipped even further behind pre-pandemic levels, while most other results remained largely flat.
·Braintree, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources13
Leaning Left2Leaning Right1Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Center
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources are Center
67% Center
L 22%
C 67%
11%
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