After working hard in the past couple of years to improve MCAS test scores, many teachers at Walpole High are impressed with the students’ success in 2011 in both the English and Science tests. The steady increase of students receiving advanced scores is a big success for Walpole. There is no mistaking that the improved scores are directly correlated with the new skills and extra practice problems taught by teachers in the classroom.

English scores in particular made the biggest increase from 2010 to 2011, with increased advanced results from 47 to 49, and proficient results from 43 to 47. The English department head, Ms. Lauren Culliton said, “I am very proud of Walpole’s students and English department. I think our scores are consistently good because we focus on close reading skills and writing strategies.”  The source of these skills mainly comes from the variety of literature students read in the classroom, as well as the frequent responses that follow the reading.

With more focus by the freshman and sophomore biology teachers on MCAS practice problems and test strategies, the science MCAS scores have also gone up. The number of advanced scores have increased from 32 to 38, and the number of failing results have decreased from last year. The source of this shift is the new organization of MCAS practice that teachers assign starting in September so that students are familiar with the material and the test problem types.

The math scores, which are usually above average, on the other hand, have not increased recently and have actually have slightly decreased in some areas. Seven less students received advanced results this year compared to last year. However, numbers have increased in the proficient level and the needs improvement level, bringing the scores closer to the state mean.  The math department has added a Math Lab to provide extra help for students who are potential “Needs Improvement” math students — an addition that should improve their scores in the future.

With the addition of the Math Lab and with the increasing scores for English and Science, the hard work of the students and teachers appears to be paying off. If these scores continue to improve, more and more people will get to know Walpole not just for high-achieving sports, but also for its high-achieving academics.