Photo: Madison Rogers/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Some Lowell schools surpassed their pre-pandemic MCAS test scores as much of the state continues to struggle.
Most Massachusetts schools' test scores have remained stagnant since the pandemic, with some getting worse.
In Spring of this year, 42% of all Massachusetts students who took the MCAS test met the scoring expectations, 18% failed the test, which is a sizable increase from the 11% that failed pre-pandemic.
State officials said they have some evidence that removing MCAS as a graduation requirement has played a role in the dropping test scores, with this year being the first time students took the test since the requirement was removed.
Meanwhile, seven of the eleven schools in Lowell that needed state help last year no longer need it.
Superintendent of Lowell Public Schools Liam Skinner said there is "no secret to the sauce," his schools have gotten better over the years, but making this progress despite schools in the rest of the state being on a downward trajectory is great.
Skinner said a focus on critical thought in the classroom has helped the students, instead of the teacher reading the book out loud to you in English class, "you are instead, being encouraged by that teacher to debate some aspects of that novel."
Skinner said the number of schools over the last decade in Lowell that need state help has typically been eight to eleven, with this year being the first time they have only had four schools need it.
"It's sheer hard work, but also I think support for teachers in particular, and being very intentional about the way you hire staff," Skinner said.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Chaiel Schaffel (@CSchaffelWBZ) reports.