By: Dr. Amy Chafin, Director of Curriculum and Testing, WCSD
Worth County School District leaders, faculty, staff and students have reason to celebrate! Student scores for the 2016 administration of the Georgia Milestones Assessment System show increases in most subject areas and grade levels for Worth County students. Students began taking the very rigorous Georgia Milestones assessments in 2014-15. The new testing system is one comprehensive program across grades 3-12 and includes open-ended questions to better gauge students’ content mastery. In 2015-16, students in grades 3-8 were tested in English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. In grades 9-12, students enrolled in 9th Grade Literature & Composition, American Literature & Composition, Algebra I, Geometry, Biology, Physical Science, U.S. History, and/or Economics took a Georgia Milestones End of Course assessment.
Georgia Milestones assesses student learning along four levels of achievement. These designations aim to shift the focus away from just test scores, instead capturing the progression of student learning:
Beginning Learners (Level 1) 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 (Level 2) 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 (Level 3) 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 (Level 4) 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.
The higher bar for student proficiency set by Georgia Milestones is aimed at better preparing students for college and career and providing a more realistic picture of academic progress.
For Georgia Milestones End of Grade (EOG) Assessments, the percent of students achieving ‘Developing Learner’ and Above increased for 17 of the 24 tests, with the highest gains seen in third grade social studies; fourth grade math, science and social studies; fifth grade English Language Arts, sixth grade math; seventh grade English Language Arts, math, and social studies; and, eighth grade English Language Arts and social studies. Worth County students scored above the southwest Georgia RESA average in 14 of the 24 tests, with third grade science and fifth grade English Language Arts leading the state average.
2016 Ga Milestones End of Grade Comparisons (District, RESA, State) – Students Scoring Developing and Above
- 2016 Ga Milestones End of Grade Comparisons (District, RESA, State) – Students Scoring Developing and Above: For Georgia Milestones End of Grade (EOG) Assessments, the percent of students achieving Proficient Learner and Above increased for 14 out of 24 tests, with the highest gains seen in fourth grade science and social studies; sixth grade science; seventh grade math, science and social studies; and, eighth grade social studies. Worth County students scored above the southwest Georgia RESA average in 8 of the 24 tests. Worth County Elementary fourth grade science students scored the same as the state average of 33%.
2016 Ga Milestones End of Grade Comparisons (District, RESA, State) – Students Scoring Proficient and Above
2016 End of Grade Scores: Students Scoring Developing and Above
2016 End of Course Scores: Students Scoring Proficient and Above
2016 Ga Milestones End of Course Comparisons (District, RESA, State) – Students Scoring Developing and Above
Students Scoring Developing and Above
2016 Ga Milestones End of Grade Comparisons (District, RESA, State) – Students Scoring Proficient and Above
