WORCESTER—Worcester Public Schools (WPS) made moderate progress toward educational goals in the 2023-24 school year, according to accountability data released last week by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
The annual report assesses public schools and districts across the state based on student performance on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS), along with other key metrics such as attendance, graduation rates, and English language proficiency.
WPS earned a classification of “not requiring assistance or intervention” from the state, with the district meeting 44 percent of its targets—up three percentage points from the previous year. Of the 44 schools in the district that received an accountability rating, 30 were classified as “not requiring assistance or intervention.”
While the district showed some positive growth, including five schools improving their accountability percentile scores, the overall performance trend was mixed. Twenty-nine schools experienced a slight decline in percentile scores, while six schools saw more significant drops of 10 points or more. Four schools reported no change in their scores.
WPS is part of a larger statewide trend of declining performance on the MCAS exam, according to the report. Statewide, the percentage of third graders not meeting expectations in English Language Arts jumped from eight percent in 2019 to 18 percent in 2024. In Worcester, that figure rose from 16 percent in 2019 to 32 percent in 2024, with similar increases observed in cities such as Lowell and New Bedford.
The Worcester School Committee joins a growing number of school districts across Massachusetts in backing the “Yes on 2” ballot question, which was spearheaded by the Massachusetts Teachers Association.
Earlier in the month, the committee approved a petition filed by the Educational Association of Worcester (EAW) in support of the measure. If passed, the ballot question would lift the long-standing requirement, giving students more flexibility in meeting graduation standards without the pressure of standardized testing. This move reflects a broader statewide push to reassess the role of the MCAS in determining student success.
“The district continues to take significant steps toward ensuring our scholars are gaining the critical skills they need,” Dr. Rachel H. Monárrez said in a statement. “In the 2023-24 school year, we adopted high-quality instructional materials for grades K-12 across various subjects. Educators and caregivers must remain united in doing all we can to ensure our scholars are future-ready.”
WPS remains focused on its five-year strategic plan called Our Promise to the Future, which outlines key goals to prepare students for future success.
To view the full WPS accountability data, visit the district’s website.
