Test Expectations: How many students met or exceeded science MCAS expectations in Charles S. Ashley School in 2023-24 school year?

Of the 42 students of Charles S. Ashley School who took part in the science portion of the MCAS in the 2023-24 school year, seven met the testing standard (16.7%), while none exceeded expectations, according to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The students' overall success rate in the subject dropped by 8.3% in the 2023-24 school year from the previous school year.

New Bedford Public Schools District, which Charles S. Ashley School is part of, reached an average proficiency rate of 19.4% in science during the 2023-24 school year.

Meanwhile, 13.7% of Charles S. Ashley School students hit the ELA benchmarks, and 14.6% were considered proficient in math.

At the time, 199,813 students took the science test in Massachusetts, with 88,716 students passing (44.4%) — 1.3% more than the year before.

Massachusetts spends more money on K-12 education per pupil than most other states, ranking fifth in the nation, according to a 2025 report. The state allocates over $24,000 per pupil, totaling $22.5 billion annually.

Subject	Number of Students Tested	Number of Students Passing	Proficiency Rate (%)	Change from Previous Year (%)
Math	123	18	14.6%	-8.4%
ELA	124	17	13.7%	-11.7%
Science	42	7	16.7%	-8.3%