Minority students closing MCAS achievement gap

MALDEN, Mass. (AP) - Massachusetts education officials say the state's 10th-graders have performed better than ever on the MCAS exam, while minority students have closed the achievement gap.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced Monday that 88 percent of 10th graders scored "proficient" or higher in English language arts in 2012, while 78 percent scored "proficient" or higher in mathematics.

In 1998, 38 percent of students in English and 24 percent in mathematics scored "proficient" or higher.

Black students have narrowed the achievement gap with white students between three to eight points on four tests in English and three to five points on three mathematics tests.

Latino students have narrowed the achievement gap with white students between four and nine points on four English tests and three points on two mathematics tests.