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MCAS results exceed state performance index for math and English

Date: 10/2/2014

SPRINGFIELD – Even though three city middle schools were designated as Level 4 schools, for the second year in a row the gains made by Springfield schools in English Language Arts (ELA) and math in the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System exceeded the state’s Composite Performance Index  (CPI) gains.

School Superintendent Daniel Warwick told Reminder Publications the city’s results were “very positive” and he credited the work of the principals and teaching staff for the improvements.

From 2012 to 2014, the city’s CPI has increased by 0.7 points in English Language Arts, 3.1 points in math, and 1.8 points in science while the state increases were 0, 0.4 and 1.0 points respectively.

In the subgroups of students with disabilities and English Language Learners the gap between the CPI of Springfield’s ELL students and the state average has declined by seven points in ELA and 8.4 points in math. 

Warwick noted that Elias Brookings and Brightwood schools went from Level 4 to Level 3.

“They are really to be commended,” Warwick said.

Daniel B. Brunton School leaped from Level 3 to Level 1 and the Alfred G. Zanetti Montessori School, which went from Level 4 to Level 1 last year, was designated by the state education officials as a Commendation School.

Duggan, Forest Park and Van Sickle middle schools were downgraded from Level 3 to Level 4 schools and Warwick said, “The dips [in test scores] are consistent everywhere.”

He added, “It’s a tough age.” High rates of poverty also affect student performance, he said.    

Although the state classifications at the other levels are based on test data, state education officials are the ones who determine which schools should be designated as Level 4. Although there were some gains at these three schools, they were not enough to prevent the new classification.

Warwick explained the schools would now have a year to devise an improvement plan. “The good news for the staff is now they will be able to access school improvement funding,” he added.

He believes the current system of applying “negative labeling” to a school and then allowing it to compete for additional resources is “backwards.” He would prefer seeing Level 3 schools receive funding to prevent a slide to Level 4.

He also called for state education funds to schools should be increased.

In October, the School Committee will be considering a proposal by the Boston-based group UP Education that would take a Level 4 middle school and convert it into a charter school, a move that has proven successful for the organization in Boston and Lawrence. Warwick said it would be “premature” to discuss which school would be selected, if the School Committee and the state approve the plan.

He said the staffs of the Level 4 schools are “embracing the challenge” of improving the schools and noted that the city has moved five schools out of Level 4.