Students Record Strongest-Ever Gains in Georgia Milestones Test Scores

Georgia high school students showed strong gains on the spring 2019 Georgia Milestones assessments.

That’s according to the Georgia Department of Education, which announced that scores increased or held steady on 25 of 26 assessments.

Specifically, the percentage of students achieving the Proficient Learner level and above increased or held steady on 25 of 26 End of Grade  and End of Course assessments, compared to 22 of 26 assessments in 2018.

Students who achieve the Proficient Learner designation are considered on track to being college- and career-ready.

That’s the strongest overall gains recorded in the five years the assessment has been administered.

“We continue to see increased student performance across indicators – from Georgia Milestones to the SAT and ACT, graduation rate, and the number of students finishing high school with an industry-recognized credential,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “This is a testament to the hard work of Georgia’s teachers and students, and an increasing focus on educating the whole child and providing a genuinely well-rounded education. While these gains are worth celebrating, we cannot be all about the test – our job is to prepare students for life. I continue to support a reduction of state assessment requirements to the federal minimum, and more realistic and reasonable accountability requirements.”

The percentage of high school students reading on grade level or above increased or held steady in every tested grade and both English language arts high school courses.  In Stephens County:

• 67.5% of the 117 students tested were rated as reading at grade level or above in American Literature and Composition. And of that, 23.1% scored as Proficient Learner or Above.
• With 167 tested, 48.5% of Stephens County students scored as Proficient Learner or Above in Algebra 1.
• Of the 178 tested, 36.5% scored as Proficient Learner or Above in Geometry.
•  56.1% of the 132 students tested scored as Proficient Learner or Above in Biology.
• 49.6% of 133 students tested in grades 3-8 scored as Proficient Learner or Above in Physical Science.
• 110 students were tested in U.S. History. Of that, 46.4% scored as Proficient Learner or Above.
• And of the 93 students who tested in Economics in Stephens County, 67.7% scored in the Proficient Learner or Above category.

In the 9th Grade End of Course Assesement, 150 students in Stephens County took the Ninth Grade Literature and Coposition.  Of that, 49.3% achieved Proficient Learner & Above.

Students began taking Georgia Milestones assessments in 2014-15. The testing system is one comprehensive program across grades 3-12, which includes open-ended and technology-enhanced questions to better gauge students’ content mastery.

Georgia Milestones assesses student learning along four levels of achievement:

Beginning Learners do not yet demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified in Georgia’s content standards. The students need substantial academic support to be prepared for the next grade level or course and to be on track for college and career readiness.

Developing Learners demonstrate partial proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified by Georgia’s content standards. The students need additional academic support to ensure success in the next grade level or course and to be on track for college and career readiness.

Proficient Learners demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified in Georgia’s content standards. The students are prepared for the next grade level or course and are on track for college and career readiness.

​Distinguished Learners demonstrate advanced proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified in Georgia’s content standards. The students are well prepared for the next grade level or course and are well prepared for college and career readiness.

Governor Brian Kemp said the strong results in all school districts show impressive improvements in Georgia’s public schools and he commended educators and students in Georgia for their hard work.