Malden MCAS results are impressive: near the top in many categories when compared to similar school districts

In different studies, Malden Public Schools ranks well; being the most diverse culturally of all, it is a solid achievement

By Steve Freker

The Malden Public Schools MCAS results rank higher than in nearly every similar district – culturally and demographically – to which it could be compared. In both the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) District Analysis and Review Tools (DARTs) analysis as well as an analysis which appeared in the Everett Advocate last week, Malden consistently measures near the top in comparative listings.

According to DESE, “The District Analysis and Review Tools (DARTs) turn the Department’s vast amount of data into valuable, easily consumable information.

“The DARTs offer snapshots of district and school performance, allowing users to easily track select data elements over time, and make sound, meaningful comparisons to the state or to ‘comparable’ organizations,” according to information provided on the DESE Website. All DARTs analysis results and statistics are available on the DESE website: doe.mass.edu/dart/

Malden is aligned comparably with Barnstable, Brockton, Chicopee, Everett, Lowell, Lynn, Marlborough, Milford, Revere and Waltham. In nearly every category of MCAS measurables, Malden ranks either near or at the top when compared directly with similar districts in percentage of “Meeting or Exceeding Expectations,” the usual measuring stick.

— In Grades 3-8 English Language Arts (ELA), Malden ranks second (36% Meeting or Exceeding Expectations) only to Waltham (38%).

— In Grades 3-8 Math, Malden (31%) is again ranked second among the similar districts to only Waltham (37%).

—In Grade 10 ELA, Malden is third of the 11 similar districts (48%) to only Barnstable (56%) and Waltham (54%).

— In Grade 10 Math, Malden (42%) is ranked second of those 11 districts to only Barnstable (43%).

—In Grades 5 and 8 Science, Malden is ranked second of 11 comparable districts (33%) to only Milford (35%).

In the growth areas, Malden is especially impressive. Malden Public Schools tops the lists in growth average of all 11 districts Grades 3-8 ELA and is second in growth percentage in Math to Waltham.

In another ranking when compared in the Advocate to Boston, Everett, Medford, Peabody, Revere and Somerville, Malden is in the top three – usually with Medford and Peabody – in all categories in percentage Meeting or Exceeding Expectations. Those rankings can be found in the October 22 edition of the Everett Advocate in an advertisement appearing in that newspaper.

At a recent Malden School Committee meeting, Malden Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ligia Noriega-Murphy praised educators and administrators as well as central administration for their work in guiding the now 1,916 students in the district toward progress and achievement. “We still have a lot of work to do moving forward, but we are pleased with the hard work and commitment our staff has shown is guiding our students on a path to success, every day in our schools,” Supt. Dr. Noriega-Murphy said.