The state Department of Education just released the 2016 Milestones scores. I plan to look at the results and add to this blog. I will also add links to an AJC-created database of scores shortly.
I have added DOE links to the results to the end of this blog. Here is the official statement from DOE:
Student scores for the 2016 administration of the Georgia Milestones Assessment System show increases in most subject areas. The percent of students achieving the ‘Proficient Learner’ level and Above increased for 23 of the 32 tests, with the highest gains seen in grade 5 science; grade 7 mathematics, science, and social studies; grade 8 English language arts, mathematics, and social studies; American Literature; Analytic Geometry; Biology; Physical Science; U.S. History; and Economics. Students who achieve ‘Proficient Leaner’ are considered to be on track to being college and career ready.
“I’m pleased to see our students’ performance trending upward in many key areas,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “Georgia’s students and teachers should be commended for these results – we asked them to clear a higher bar, and it is not a surprise to me that they delivered. While increases in most areas were seen, the results do highlight the need to focus on early grades, especially in the areas of literacy and numeracy. The policies of my administration will continue to emphasize a strong knowledge of foundational skills and concepts so students are reading on grade level by 3rd grade and being proficient in numeracy by 5th grade. Proficiency in these areas will ensure greater success in later grades.”
Students began taking 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, Coordinate Algebra, Analytic Geometry, 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 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.
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.
Georgia law requires a comprehensive summative assessment program in grades three through 12, including End of Grade assessments in English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies for grades three through eight and End of Course assessments in designated core subjects for grades nine through 12. During the 2015-16 school year, science and social studies assessments were required in grades three through eight; moving forward, those assessments will only be required in grades five and eight as a result of Senate Bill 364 that was passed by this year's General Assembly and signed into law in May 2016.
*This year, for the first time, middle school students who were enrolled in mathematics and/or science high school courses associated with the EOC took only the EOC and did not take the corresponding mathematics and/or science EOG. To provide a complete and accurate picture of student achievement in middle schools, particularly grade 8, additional data have been included in the state, district, and school aggregations.
2016 State Results
2016 School and System Results
Spring 2016 EOG – School (Elementary and Middle School)
Spring 2016 EOG – System (Elementary and Middle School)
Spring 2016 EOC – School (High School)
Spring 2016 EOC – System (High School)
2015 State Results
2015 School and System Results
Spring 2015 EOG – School (Elementary and Middle School)
Spring 2015 EOG – System (Elementary and Middle School)
Spring 2015 EOC – School (High School)
Spring 2015 EOC – System (High School)
*Note: These are zip files of Excel documents and must be opened on a desktop computer, not a mobile device.
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