MCAS: Nahant’s Johnson School scores highest marks

NAHANT – School officials are thrilled with student performance on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exam.The test was given to students in the spring and results for Johnson Elementary School showed an increase in student achievement across the board.Principal Diane Mulcahy said the results demonstrate a significant improvement in student achievement scores compared to 2009 and are the highest scores the school has achieved since MCAS testing started in 1998.In 2009 the school did not make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), which measures progress toward annual performance targets, in English Language Arts or Math. Schools that fail to meet its targets for two or more consecutive years receive an accountability status and are required to take steps to focus efforts on improving student performance.Mulcahy pointed out AYP has two performance levels as targets – an improvement target score and also a higher performance target score for each school.”The Johnson School test results provided dramatic increases in both subjects,” Mulcahy said, “and exceeded both the improvement standard and the higher performance standard in both English Language Arts and Math.”The English Language Arts test scores increased by four points, which resulted in an improvement rating of On Target and a performance rating of Very High. The math test scores increased by almost eight points, which resulted in an improvement rating of High and a performance rating of Above Target.”Both ratings represent a significant improvement compared to 2009,” Mulcahy said.Mulcahy attributed the dramatic increase in student performance to a 13-point plan developed after the school had less than stellar results on the MCAS in 2009.”Critical to the implementation of new initiatives was the substantive effort by the teachers and support staff,” Mulcahy said. “Their energy and commitment, combined with a more serious effort by the students and support by the parents, allowed for a comprehensive approach to the goals of improved performance and achievement. Of particular note was the 100 percent passing rate for special needs students in English Language Arts.”