Georgia education

State notifies parents before releasing awful test scores
In social studies CRCT, less than 30 percent pass; In math, 40 percent


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 05/19/08

Georgia school leaders were so shocked by dismal scores on state math and social studies tests, the state superintendent released a statement Monday to prepare parents and others for the results.

[Post comments below.]

Education news

See back-to-school photos | Send yours!

More photos: DeKalb | Clayton | Atlanta/Fulton | Gwinnett | Cherokee

2008 AYP Find your school

2008 CRCT School-by-school scores

List: Percentage of students promoted despite failing CRCT

  • More about schools
  • AJC School Guide

According to the unofficial results, only 20 to 30 percent of Georgia's sixth- and seventh-graders passed the state social studies exam. In math, about 40 percent of eighth-graders could be held back because they failed the test.

The state will release official scores from the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests next month.

Parents whose children failed the math test will be notified by local schools. The state requires eighth-graders to pass the reading and math exams to move to high school.

Students who failed math exams — as well as those who might have failed reading — can retake the exam this summer. Schools will provide optional free classes to get them ready. Students who failed the social studies exam don't face any consequences under Georgia law.

State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox said test scores in both subjects dropped because students took harder tests to match the state's tougher and more rigorous curriculum.

"When you raise standards and expectations, it is not unusual to see a temporary dip in the percent of students who are meeting those expectations," Cox wrote in a statement released Monday afternoon. "We have seen this in other grades and other areas of the curriculum."

Cox was puzzled by the drastic drop in social studies, calling it "cause for concern." Last year, about 83 percent of the sixth-graders passed the social studies test, as did about 86 percent of the seventh-graders, according to state figures.

She wondered whether the new social studies standards were clear and if some of the detailed test questions caught students off guard. Cox will ask a group of teachers and curriculum specialists to determine what may have happened.

"We have to do better with this," Cox said.

Changes could be made to the test and to the material teachers teach, said Dana Tofig, spokesman for the state education department.

Parent Stephanie Kratofil said her daughter described the seventh-grade exams as some of the hardest tests she's ever taken. The straight-A student told her mom the social studies exam included material never taught in class.

"There's got to be something wrong with that test," Kratofil said. "This is showing some horrible numbers for the state. It just doesn't make any sense."

While a failed math test carries more consequences than the social studies test, state education leaders had predicted only about 60 percent of students would pass the tougher exam, Tofig said. About 81 percent of eighth-graders passed the math CRCT last year.

Cox described the decline as a "temporary dip" because of the higher expectations placed on all students. This year every eighth-grader took algebra, while before only a small number took the class in middle school, she said.

The math scores are used to determine whether schools meet the testing goals required under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Schools that fail face increasingly severe sanctions, up to a possible takeover by the state.

Cox previously said she expected more middle schools to miss testing goals this year because of math scores. A report showing specifically how many middle schools missed the mark will be released in July.

Vote for this story!

Comments

By lyoodkub

Aug 18, 2008 12:56 AM | Link to this

http://www.yahoo.com

By lyoodkub

Aug 18, 2008 12:56 AM | Link to this

http://www.yahoo.com

By lyoodkub

Aug 18, 2008 12:56 AM | Link to this

http://www.yahoo.com

By concern

May 24, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this

I am the parent of a 5th grade student. My daughter has been doing wonderful this school year. She has remained on the AB Honor roll for the entire year. her teacher recommened her for 6th grade honors math for next year. She took the entry test for 6th grade honors math and met the criteria. When i got the phone call to tell me her score on the math crct it was shocking. her teacher stated the she had failed the math portion by 7 points. I couldn't belive it. How could this child make the grades all year and meet the criteria for 6th garde honors math. I know as aparent that standards are in place now for math and alot that was taught this year were pre-requisites for 6th and 7th grade. I was even shocked about some of the concepts she was learning in 5th grade math because i remembered learnng those concepts in the later part of middle school to high school. there is something terribly going on here and needs to be seriously addressed. Also to let you know 3 of my daughters classmates who were recommended also for 6th grade honors math failed the math portion of crct but pass the criteria for 6th grade honors math.

By Lori

May 23, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this

Isn't it interesting that Kathy Cox threw out the Social Studies test scores even though it doesn't determine whether a child moves to the next grade or not? Isn't it interesting that her only concern seems to be the Social Studies scores? She used to be a Social Studies teacher......hmmm! My child missed passing math by 5 points and now has to go to summer school. 42 students failed the crct this year at my sons school...there were only 10 last year. I am extremely angry and believe they need to grade on a curve so those who barely missed passing don't have to go through so much stress again. I've already e-mail our Governor requesting that he step in. Anyone else? Maybe it will help.

By jo

May 23, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

Does anyone know if summer school is mandatory or if you can just take the portion of the test that was not passed? fulton county

By Prescription info

May 23, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

Prescription info http://buytramadolonline.ws/blog/

By Sally

May 23, 2008 5:11 AM | Link to this

now that's scary - someone who home schools their child and doesn't know and doesn't take the time to find out how to spell "feasible".

By AuntLaLa

May 23, 2008 3:08 AM | Link to this

My apologies for posting the same message 3 times. My mouse went a bit crazy.

By AuntLaLa

May 22, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this

I feel so badly that the children are facing failure when they never have before. It's unfair that their first experience with the failure is due to something that could have been prevented. I have a 6th grader and we home school and it's because of stuff like this in the public schools that we have decided to do this. We've only started this year but it has made a tremendous change in the dynamics of my 6th grader's life and education. While I know it's not feasable (sp?) for everyone it is highly worth looking into if at all possible for you. Just my opinion. -- A mom who feels for ya'll.

[1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10] next

Commenting is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F, except on Tuesday when it's open until 9 p.m.

Post a comment



Remember me?

You may use the following formatting:
Bold: **this text will be bolded** = this text will be bolded
Italic: *this text will be italic* = this text will be italic
Link: [text to be linked](http://www.ajc.com) = text to be linked



There will be a delay of up to 5 minutes before your comment appears.


*HTML not allowed in comments. Your e-mail address is required.

Request a comment be removed

 

Inside AJC.COM

Weekend Web fares

Catch our last-minute airline deals for a great getaway.

Laugh out loud!

Video:  Go ahead! Crack a smile with our daily joke of the day.

Let Fido play!

Find a dog park near you.

Olympic TV times

Your guide to all the action, plus latest medal counts and more.

Luxurious digs

Private Quarters Splurge:  Take a peek inside Atlanta's luxury homes.

Tonight's dinner, solved!

Find good and easy recipes with our big Evening Edge database.

Search AJC Archives

1985 to present     1868 - 1939 Advanced search

Kudzu.com services Find the right people for the job

Keyword     Business Name

AJCPets » The community for Atlanta pet lovers