September 30, 2025

Massachusetts Struggles with Student Academic Recovery Post-Pandemic

News Summary

Massachusetts students continue to face significant challenges in recovering academically from the COVID-19 pandemic, as indicated by disappointing MCAS test scores. The latest assessments revealed that no student group has returned to pre-pandemic achievement levels, with a decrease in performance noted across all grades. Key subjects, including mathematics and reading, show stagnation or decline, exacerbated by chronic absenteeism. Despite some schools achieving recognition for growth, overall recovery requires focused initiatives and funding to bridge widening achievement gaps and ensure student preparedness for future challenges.

Boston – More than five years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Massachusetts students continue to face significant struggles in academic recovery. The latest Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) test scores, which represent a core measure of student performance, reveal minimal progress between 2024 and 2025, along with a concerning decline among high school students. Importantly, no student group in the state has reached pre-pandemic levels of academic achievement, raising alarms about students’ preparedness for college, future employment, and the broader implications for the state’s economy.

According to the MCAS results for the 2024-25 academic year, overall student scores remain lower than in 2019 and even below those recorded in 2021. This year’s assessments indicated that only 42% of students met expectations on the tests in spring 2025, a significant decrease from the 50% that achieved the same in earlier years. The results also highlighted that 18% of students failed the tests in 2025, in sharp contrast to the 11% failure rate noted prior to the pandemic.

Among the specific subjects, the passing rate for mathematics in grades 3-8 has stagnated, sitting a full 8 percentage points below pre-pandemic levels for the last three years. This trend poses a critical challenge, as Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez affirmed that no student group has returned to their pre-pandemic achievement levels. The trends are particularly alarming within communities such as Boston, Springfield, and Worcester, where attempts to improve performance yielded modest gains in lower grades, yet resulted in declines for Grade 10 students.

The 2025 assessments included a newly introduced eighth-grade civics test, with only 39% of participating students passing. At the same time, Grade 10 students were the first cohort to take the MCAS without the high-stakes graduation requirement, a shift that may have adversely affected their performance, evidenced by an increase in students scoring at the lowest achievement levels.

Early reading scores, which are critical for long-term academic success, show limited improvement as well. Only 42% of third graders met reading expectations in 2025, a stark decline from the 56% that achieved the same benchmark before the pandemic. Chronic absenteeism remains a significant barrier to recovery, with 18.8% of students missing school regularly, up from 13% pre-pandemic.

Both charter and public schools are struggling to regain footing, with both sectors reporting declines in student achievement compared to 2019. The charter school sector has been particularly affected, revealing pronounced declines in student performance across the board. In response to these challenges, the state has identified 61 “Schools of Recognition” for notable growth or achievement, while also pinpointing 29 districts that are currently in need of assistance.

Despite the ongoing struggles, Massachusetts remains focused on solidifying its educational leadership through continued investments and initiatives aimed at recovery. Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler has acknowledged the need for persistent efforts to overcome the academic disruptions caused by the pandemic and to address the widening achievement gaps evident across race and demographics, which persist with all groups falling short of pre-pandemic levels.

In summary, as Massachusetts navigates the aftermath of the pandemic, the educational landscape reveals significant hurdles that must be transformed into opportunities for improvement. Only a concerted effort involving policy changes, targeted funding, and innovative initiatives can foster a meaningful recovery for the state’s students.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

High School Golf Postseason Kicks Off at Franconia
Boston’s Office Market Faces 25-Year High Vacancy Rate
Impact of Federal Policies on Massachusetts Economy
Cultural and Community Events Highlight October in Boston
Rising Apartment Vacancies in Boston Near Colleges
Massachusetts Business Landscape Faces Disruption
Police Officer Injured in Roxbury Shooting Incident
New Hill City Mini-Golf and Ice Cream Spot Opens in Fitchburg
Evanston Golf Course Damaged by Late-Night Golf Cart Joyride
Maddie Smith’s Dramatic Victory Secures Team Title for Massachusetts

Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER

BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.