Norton Superintendent 'Pleased' With MCAS Scores

Norton Superintendent Joseph Baeta said in a statement Monday that he is pleased with the district's MCAS scores, which were released last week.

“MCAS is one way of looking at how we compare to local districts and the state as a whole," he said in the statement. "I am most proud, however, of the individual student growth that we are seeing district wide. In Norton we will look at MCAS and other local assessments to drive instruction, provide for student needs, articulate the curriculum and most importantly strive for excellence.”

According to the scores, which can be found on Boston.com, Norton as a whole had 75 percent of its students score proficient or higher in English compared to 69 percent of the state. In math, 67 percent of Norton students scored proficient or higher compared to 61 percent of the state. And, in science and technology, 67 percent scored proficient or higher compared to 53 percent of the state.

In all three categories, Norton's overall percentage was in single digits when it came to warning or failing.

Norton as a district was also assessed as a "2" under the District’s Accountability Status. Norton Middle School received a "1" - the highest level possible.

"...There is work to be done but none of it is impossible," Baeta said.

Baeta did, however, highlight "mixed results" in Grades 3 and 4 and said an "MCAS Action Plan" will be put in place by the Oct. 21 school committee meeting.

64 percent of Grade 3 students in Norton scored proficient or higher in English compared to 57 percent of the state. In math, Norton Grade 3 students lagged behind the state with 64 percent scoring proficient or higher while the state saw 67 percent scoring proficient or higher.

In Grade 4, Norton students lagged behind the state in both categories. Only 34 percent of Norton Grade 4 students scored proficient or higher in math compared to 53 percent of the state. In English, only 45 percent of Norton students scored proficient or higher compared to 52 percent of the state.

Jennifer O’Neill, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, said she was pleased with results across all Grade levels, particularly in Grades 5 through 7.

“This is a great testimony to our dedicated staff and hardworking
students and shows the high level of data-driven decision making that goes into instruction," she said. "As we continue to examine these results as a District, it will be important to focus on key areas of strength and weakness at all grade levels in order to be sure that our curriculum is properly aligned”.

Baeta echoed her sentiments.

“The teaching staff and support staff are outstanding, the needs of the district are manageable and the students are great," he said.