By Leah Dearborn
LYNN — This year’s standardized test scores are in, and it’s very good news.
Highlights from the 2016 school, district and state Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) results were read aloud at the Thursday school committee meeting, as well as Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) scores.
The results showed improvements across a number of categories, including increased CPI (Composite Performance Index) scores in math and English Language Arts (ELA) in nearly every grade level.
Additionally, science, technology and engineering results in secondary schools are up from the previous year despite a decline in state results.
“Do we have areas we’re going to work on, of course,” said a jubilant Superintendent Dr. Catherine C. Latham while presenting the results. “But I think this is a time to celebrate.”
Among the commissioner’s districts in the state, which include the commonwealth’s 10 largest urban districts, Lynn placed second in math and first in ELA and science.
The improvements follow two years of relatively flat data, with students bringing the 2014 gap of 10.8 CPI points between state and city MCAS science scores down to 6.4 points.
Latham said the positive results were not obtained easily and credited the hard work of instructors, students and an effective curriculum.
“We’ve sat here budget after budget meeting, and I just need to give you a minute of congratulations,” said committee member Patricia M. Capano to Latham. “I’ve been through many, many district reviews with my head down, but this is one where I sit with my head up and say ‘wow.’”
The full MCAS and PARCC results will be publicly available on the Lynn school’s website.
In other business before the committee on Thursday, committee member Lorraine M. Gately requested an investigation into the allotted seven days of non-documented absences per quarter, saying that many students take advantage of the policy.
“To get our students prepared to go out into the world, we need to develop good work habits,” said Gately.
Members John E. Ford Jr. and Jared C. Nicholson both suggested the committee follow up by asking for feedback on the policy, which was last reviewed in 2014, from teachers and principals.