State Flags Chelmsford High for Testing Participation

School Committee · Meeting of October 6, 2026

Chelmsford High flagged for special ed testing gap as districtwide MCAS scores climb. Dr. Linda Hirsch told the School Committee the district's accountability progress jumped to 58 percent from 36 percent a year earlier, but Chelmsford High School drew an "in-need, targeted support" designation after special education testing participation came in at 94 percent, one point below the state's 95 percent threshold.

Of 342 students enrolled, 13 missed at least one assessment, including eight special education students, for reasons ranging from chronic absenteeism to parent refusal. Superintendent Dr. Jay Lang said replacing MCAS with end-of-course exams would require new legislation and likely would not affect students before the classes of 2028-29.

The committee also tabled a vote on MASC resolutions, accepted a Valley Collaborative report projecting roughly $2 million in returned revenue to member districts, and approved field trips to Manchester, New Hampshire, and Spain and France.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,040 words

Source: the School Committee meeting of October 6, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.