T O W N O F M IL T O N

Math: This was a successful year in middle school math. 72% of sixthgradersscored advanced or proficient on MCAS. 41% were advanced, wellabove the state average of 26%. 75% of seventh-graders scored advanced orproficient on MCAS. 36% were advanced, also well above the state average of19%. 72% of eighth-graders scored advanced or proficient on MCAS. 34%were advanced, again exceeding the state average of 23%. 39 students in gradessix through eight received a 280 (highest possible scaled score). Although thePierce Middle School missed making Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) in someof our sub-groups (low-income, Special Ed., African-American), our performancerating is still considered High.The Math Department continued to offer the Investigations course to studentsin the Needs Improvement and Warning categories on MCAS. This courseprovided intense MCAS preparation as well as some project-based and exploratorylearning. 92% of eighth-grade students who participated in this programshowed an increase in their score from the previous year, as did 53% ofseventh-graders. Study Island (an on-line math program) was also put intoplace to help all students preview and review concepts aligned with grade levelstandards. This was used by all math teachers in grades six through eight andawards were handed out quarterly to students regarding their progress.We also began the process of re-aligning the math curriculum to prepare allstudents for an Algebra 1/Geometry 1 experience in grade eight (by SY’2013-2014). This involved meeting regularly to review assessments and curriculum,piloting a more rigorous pre-algebra book in grade six above-level math andsupplementing both on- and above-level courses in grade seven. In addition, allteachers began the process of reviewing the new Massachusetts State Framework(aligned with the Common Core).Teachers also participated in a varietyof workshops offered by Milton Public Schools, Bridgewater State University,Massachusetts DESE, and the Greater Boston DSAC.English: The English Department also had an extremely successful year.Maintaining a Performance Rating of VERY HIGH and only missing AYP inone subgroup (low-income). Our scores showed a nice upward trend progressingfrom grade six through grade eight. 79% of sixth-grade students scored advancedor proficient on MCAS. 28% were advanced exceeding the state averageby more than 10%. 87% of seventh-grade students scored advanced or proficient,with 22% in the advanced category, again exceeding the state average of14%. Our eighth-grade students had 91% scoring advanced or proficient with31% in advanced. This was well above the state average of 20%. In addition,no eighth-grade students were placed in the warning category and six studentsscored a 280 (the highest possible scaled score).212