The interactive data dashboard tool gives users an in-depth look at school performance indicators highlighted in our Condition of Education in the Commonwealth report. Users can compare a wide-ranging set of data indicators focused on critical stages in learning and development and delve deeper into each data point by looking at progress over time and outcomes for various student groups.
The definitions below are compiled from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education.
* It is important for users of this data to understand that certain enrollment percentages and achievement data, where indicated, cannot be directly compared to data in prior years.
Data definitions of student subgroups
High needs: High needs is used as an umbrella term for such designations as: children eligible and receiving subsidies as reported to the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, and students designated as either low income (prior to school year 2015), economically disadvantaged (starting in school year 2015), English Language Learner (ELL), former ELL, or a student with disabilities. A former ELL student is a student not currently an ELL, but had been at some point in the two previous academic years. Source: Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, Financial Assistance Policy Guide: For Families, Caregivers, and Service Providers (p.1-2); Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, About the Data. Data reported as of October 1, March 1, end of school year.
English learner: For the purposes of this report, a student is considered an English learner if he or she is designated as First Language Not English, Limited English Proficient, English Language Learner(ELL), and Former English Language Learner (ELL).
- First Language Not English (FLNE): [NC1] Indicated the percentage of enrollment whose first language is a language other than English. Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, About the Data. Data reported as of October 1.
- Limited English Proficient (LEP): Indicates the percent of enrollment who are limited English proficient, defined as "a student whose first language is a language other than English who is unable to perform ordinary classroom work in English." Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, About the Data. Data reported as of October 1.
Low socioeconomic: For the purposes of this report, low socioeconomic status is used as an umbrella term for such designations as: subsidy eligibility, low income, economically disadvantaged, and Pell grant recipients as defined by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and Massachusetts Department of Higher Education.
- Low income: The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) identifies families who meet the financial requirements of a subsidy by demonstrating a total gross household income at or below 50% of the state median income (SMI). Families may remain eligible for EEC financial assistance if the total gross household income remains at or below 85% of the SMI. Families with Special Needs/Disabilities satisfy the income requirement by demonstrating a total gross household income at or below 85% of the SMI. These families remain eligible if the total gross household income remains at or below 100% of the SMI. Source: Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.
- Low income: (Used prior to 2015) Indicates the percent of enrollment who meet any one of the following definitions of low-income: the student is eligible for free or reduced price lunch; the student receives Transitional Aid to Families benefits; or the student is eligible for food stamps. Economically disadvantaged: (Used in 2015 and after) Calculated based on a student's participation in one or more of the following state-administered programs: the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); the Transitional Assistance for Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC); the Department of Children and Families' (DCF) foster care program; and MassHealth (Medicaid). Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Understanding the Economically Disadvantaged Indicator.
* It is important for users of this data to understand that enrollment percentages and achievement data for "economically disadvantaged" students cannot be directly compared to "low income" data in prior years.
- Pell grant recipient: Students reported to the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education as receiving a Pell grant. The Federal Pell Grant Program provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduate and certain postbaccalaureate students to promote access to postsecondary education. Source: Massachusetts Department of Higher Education.
Students with disabilities: Indicates the percent of enrollment who meet any one of the definitions of students with disabilities: autism, communication impairment, developmental delay, emotional impairment, health impairment, intellectual impairment, neurological impairment, physical impairment, sensory impairment, and specific learning disability. Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Special Education Definitions.
Racial identification: Indicates the general racial and ethnic category that most clearly reflects the individual’s recognition of his or her community or with which the individual most identifies. Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Race and Ethnicity Data Collection. Data reported as of October 1.
- African American or Black: A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa.
- Asian: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent.
- Hispanic or Latino: A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race.
- White: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa.