North Andover meets 33% of state accountability targets; data team outlines weighting, subgroups and next steps
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Summary
District data staff explained DESE’s six-measure accountability system and reported North Andover scored 33% of targets (moderate progress); staff proposed deeper subgroup analysis and curriculum alignment to improve results.
At the Nov. 6 School Committee meeting, district data staff led a technical briefing on Massachusetts’ accountability system and the district’s most recent results.
Kara, the district data lead, told the committee the DESE accountability system uses six measures—MCAS achievement, MCAS growth, chronic absenteeism, progress toward English proficiency, high school completion and advanced coursework completion—and that each measure is weighted and combined into an overall percent-of-target score. "There are six different measures," Kara said, explaining that points are awarded based on progress toward state targets and that 2024 data counts for 40% and 2025 data counts for 60% of the combined result.
Using that framework, North Andover’s district-level combined percent of targets met was reported as 33%, classified by DESE as "moderate progress" toward targets. Kara showed an example cohort chart and explained how DESE assigns schools to a recovery or forward path depending on comparisons between 2019 and 2023 results.
Some schools performed better than the district average. Kara noted Sergeant and Thompson elementary schools each recorded roughly 62% of targets met—placing those particular schools in the "substantial progress" range.
Committee members asked how to interpret low district scores and what levers to pull. Staff emphasized that the high‑level percent is a summary metric and that the district is using item analyses, subgroup breakdowns and student‑level attendance data to target supports. On chronic absenteeism, Kara said teams of nurses, guidance counselors, administrators and parent liaisons are examining which students are most at risk and why. "It's really having that data and then, being really hyper focused on it to make sure that we know who are the kids most at risk," Kara said.
District leaders tied the accountability conversation to curriculum work and implementation: they said increasing alignment to state standards through high‑quality instructional materials (HQIM), bolstering MTSS (multi-tiered systems of support) and targeted staffing or programs will be central to improving future scores.
What’s next: staff said they will continue school‑level diagnostic work (item analysis, subgroup tracking), present clearer budget-linked interventions and include accountability considerations in the district’s strategic plan work.
