Dennis‑Yarmouth principals report K–3 MCAS gains and target chronic absenteeism
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Summary
District elementary leaders told the school committee on Dec. 1 that K–3 MCAS results showed major year‑over‑year gains at several schools but persistent disparities for English‑language learners and some students with disabilities; chronic absenteeism (students missing 18+ days) remains a district priority and action steps are under way.
District elementary leaders presented 2025 MCAS results to the Dennis‑Yarmouth Regional School Committee on Dec. 1 and framed the gains as promising but incomplete.
Patrick Riley, principal of the Ezra H. Baker Innovation School, reported that Ezra Baker met or exceeded all ELA targets for subgroups and that the school's growth target performance rose from about 28% (2023–24) to 72% (2024–25). Riley said math growth met targets for several high‑needs groups and that the only area of decline was chronic absenteeism, which fell by roughly two percentage points. "We're keeping pace with the state in ELA," Riley said, and outlined action steps including three annual teacher conferences to review subgroup data, curriculum fidelity work and targeted supports for ELL and students with IEPs.
Emmy Small principal Carol Mahady said her school posted a 79% improvement on report card measures with a 7% increase in students meeting ELA expectations and a 9% increase in math. Mahady said staff reviewed state essay exemplars to focus on writing instruction and described an attendance team and family outreach to address absences.
Station Avenue principal Valerie Kelly reported progress targets of 92% and a 10% ELA gain this year. Kelly identified EL subgroup performance and chronic absenteeism as priorities and said the school purchased Reflex Math with PTO support, shortened data cycles and is using coaching cycles to increase instructional responsiveness.
Intermediate principal Jim Blake confirmed that many subgroup measures are improving but said the district's chronic absenteeism rate (often referenced around 17–19%) remains a drag: "If a student is out 18 days, that's like writing off a month of instruction," Blake said. Superintendent Dr. Smith said addressing attendance is part of the district's strategic plan, noted coding and messaging changes to attendance notifications, and said the district will survey caretakers and students to identify barriers.
Principals and the superintendent emphasized K–3 alignment, literacy rollout plans (including Orton‑Gillingham approaches), EL staffing adjustments and outreach to families. Several board members praised the data work and asked for continued focus on narrowing achievement gaps.