The Rochester School Committee’s review of MCAS scores Thursday raised questions on what needed to be done in order to improve results.

Rochester Memorial School consistently exceeded the states requirements, but not to the extent that the school had hoped for. Overall, the school passed the state’s requirements by only four to eight points.

The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, which tests math, English/language arts and science/technology, is administered each year to students. The MCAS program holds schools and districts accountable toward reaching the objective of the No Child Left Behind Law, which requires all students be proficient in reading and mathematics by 2014.

A big area of concern was grade five, which showed low scores compared to the consistently improving grade six.

"This may be due to the co-teaching approach that has been used in grade six," said principal Jay Ryan.

Co-teaching uses two regular teachers and one special education teacher per classroom. Ryan said this allows students to obtain the help they need easily and quickly. The co-teaching process will be applied to grades four and five in the future, and will hopefully be the key to boosting grade five’s MCAS scores.

All in all, Rochester MCAS scores were above satisfactory, according to the committee.

"Its wonderful to see evidence of how great our school is," said vice-chairman Sharon Hartley

Rochester's scores can be viewed at www.doe.mass.edu.