The state released figures last week showing how schools fared on the Criterion Referenced Competency Test, given each spring to elementary and middle school students across Georgia. The state will weigh those results in determining which schools have met federal benchmarks for "adequate yearly progress." Schools that don't can face a range of sanctions. An announcement is expected by the end of July.

> WHY DO THE SCORES MATTER? The scores indicate whether students are learning what the state curriculum says they should. And third-, fifth- and eighth-graders must pass certain tests to advance to the next grade.

> WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS? Passage rates in reading ticked up across the board, good news especially for third-, fifth- and eighth-graders —- who all must pass the test to advance. The bad news? State officials this year introduced a new math curriculum in several key grades and, though it's arguably not fair to compare scores to the old curriculum, officials admitted surprise about the number of students who failed. They say it's because the new curriculum is tougher.

State officials threw out scores for some grades in social studies after a low percentage passed.

> HOW DID LOCAL SYSTEMS DO? We looked at the reading and math passage rates. Third-graders must pass reading to advance while fifth- and eighth-graders must pass both subjects to make it to the next grade. Look for minuses in the "difference" column, because that means more kids passed the test. To see school by school results, log on to ajc.com.

COBB

Like many schools across the state, Cobb County saw improvements in many areas, except math. The drop in math scores should not be a surprise to school officials. In December, when the Iowa Test of Basic Skills results were released, Superintendent Fred Sanderson said, "The ITBS provides great data for our teachers to use as they prepare students for the critical CRCT in the spring, and shows us which areas —- such as eighth-grade math —- that may need more attention."

Grade..Subject ..% failing '08..% failing '07..Difference

3......Reading ..10 ............14..............-4....

5......Reading....9 ............12..............-3

5......Math* ....20 ............10 ............+10

8......Reading....5..............8..............-3

8......Math* ....29 ............15 ............+14

DEKALB

Like systems statewide, DeKalb County is making gains on exams revamped at least two years ago but lost considerable ground on "new" material introduced this year. The state's response to the math scores angered Superintendent Crawford Lewis, who said training for teachers in the new curriculum was not finished until after school started.

Grade..Subject ..% failing '08..% failing '07..Difference

3......Reading ..16 ............21..............-5

5......Reading ..17 ............19..............-2

5......Math* ....37 ............17 ............+20

8......Reading ..14 ............17..............-3

8......Math* ....48 ............30 ............+18

FORSYTH

Fifth- and eighth-graders in Forsyth County were among the top in the state on meeting testing standards in math. "There are a lot of reasons to celebrate these CRCT results," said Superintendent L.C. "Buster" Evans. "Our teachers have done a phenomenal job at delivering the standards-based curriculum to promote high levels of learning for our students. We commend our educators, students and parents for their outstanding work throughout the school year. These scores are certainly something we can all be very proud of."

Grade..Subject ..% failing '08..% failing '07..Difference

3......Reading....3 ............5..............-2

5......Reading....3 ............4..............-1

5......Math*......9 ............3..............+6

8......Reading....2 ............2 ..............0

8......Math* ....12 ............4..............+8

FULTON

Several schools had all students meet testing standards in one area or another, although math passage rates from the older grades predictably took a hit. "As always, we will carefully review the data to determine our strengths and weaknesses so that we can do an even better job next year," school Superintendent Cindy Loe said.

Grade..Subject ..% failing '08..% failing '07..Difference

3......Reading ..10 ............12..............-2

5......Reading....9 ............10..............-1

5......Math* ....21..............9 ............+12

8......Reading....6..............7..............-1

8......Math* ....34 ............15 ............+19

*Georgia introduced a new math curriculum this year; the '07 scores and differential are not directly comparable and are shown for informational purposes only.