​On Tuesday, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts released the accountability ranking for all the schools across the state. Cape Cod Regional Technical High School was acknowledged as a School of Recognition. Only 65 other schools were recognized this past year out of more than a thousand schools across the Commonwealth. This is a major feat for our school community. We are extremely proud of our students, staff, and other community members who made this possible. Furthermore, DESE recognized our school by name in their press release (below) in regards to accountability.

The 2023 accountability is based on the class of 2025 MCAS scores (the Juniors) as well as the work of all the students around their attendance and rigorous ​technical and academic​ course​ work. A link to our school profile is below for those that would like to dive into the information further.

(For full press release click here.)

2023 MCAS Scores Show Progress in Math and ELA Academic Recovery

MALDEN – The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released 2023 Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) results today, showing continued academic recovery from the pandemic. While overall results are still lower than they were in 2019, results in English language arts (ELA) scores and math were level or improved in all grades compared to 2022.

“Pandemic learning loss is a national problem, but these results show signs of recovery thanks to the hard work of educators, students, families, and staff,” said Education Secretary Patrick A. Tutwiler. “We know there is still much to be done, and we will continue to improve and strengthen our schools until every student can access the supports and resources they need to succeed.”

Districts continue to use federal COVID relief funds, increased state funding from the Student Opportunity Act, and grants from DESE to fund academic support in a variety of forms, from Acceleration Academies during school vacations to improved curriculum and materials. Districts have shown strong interest in grants and professional learning opportunities in areas such as early literacy, and DESE will continue to support districts in this work.

“Federal and state investments in pandemic recovery and in high-need districts are helping schools accelerate learning and support our students,” said Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Jeffrey C. Riley. “The Department will continue to partner with districts on early literacy, deeper learning initiatives, and more.”

The MCAS is one of the most highly regarded and rigorous state assessments in the nation, and today’s results appear to indicate that Massachusetts students’ academic achievement is beginning to rebound from the pandemic, even as some reports have suggested a continued national slide in achievement.

Also today, DESE released 2023 accountability results, the first full release of accountability data since 2019. This year’s information includes data on accountability indicators (download) such as graduation and chronic absenteeism rates, and it also includes school percentiles, determinations of each district’s and school’s need for assistance or intervention, and their progress toward goals in each indicator.

About Accountability Results:

The vast majority of schools – 83 percent – that received an accountability designation were identified as “not requiring assistance or intervention.” Sixty-two percent of schools met, exceeded or made “Substantial Progress Towards” their accountability targets.

This year, as we did prior to the pandemic, DESE is identifying a number of Schools of Recognition for their strong growth or overall achievement. This year’s group includes 66 of these schools across the Commonwealth, from Cape Cod Regional Vocational Technical High School in Harwich to Northampton High School in Western Mass. The list also includes four schools each from the Boston and Wellesley public schools, three schools each in Newton and Springfield, two other technical high schools besides Cape Cod Regional Vocational Technical, and one charter school (Conservatory Lab Charter School in Boston).