Education
Education

Seventy-five Gwinnett County students opt out of Georgia Milestones

Photo Credit: DEBORAH CANNON / AMERICAN-STATESMAN

Credit: Deborah Cannon

Credit: Deborah Cannon

Photo Credit: DEBORAH CANNON / AMERICAN-STATESMAN
By
April 24, 2017

Seventy-five Gwinnett County students have opted out of taking the Georgia Milestones exams, school district officials said Thursday.

The number is low in comparison to the 76,000 students taking the exams, but it shows the resistance some parents have of what they say is too much testing by schools and not enough focus on learning.

The Georgia Milestones are state exams aimed at measuring student proficiency in several subjects. Public school students from the third grade and up are currently taking the Georgia Milestones exams.

Gwinnett officials said in a presentation Thursday to school board members that state education officials are helping them with some challenges they're having with the online assessments. Gwinnett was one of nearly two dozen school districts statewide that had trouble late last week with the online assessments.

About the Author

Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He is the newsroom's education editor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.

Follow Eric Stirgus on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Students and supporters light candles and sing during a vigil for conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Georgia Tech’s Campanile Fountain on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. The event was hosted by Tech’s chapter of Turning Point USA, which has seen a flood of interest since Kirk's murder. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Credit: Daniel Varnado/For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia students flock to Turning Point USA after Charlie Kirk killing

Since Charlie Kirk’s Sept. 10 killing on a Utah college campus, Turning Point USA has seen a sharp rise in interest across the Peach State, according to chapter leaders.

DeKalb schools superintendent pleads not guilty to federal charges

Devon Horton has resigned from his role as DeKalb County superintendent, He has pleaded not guilty to federal charges stemming from his previous job in Illinois.

The music stopped at Morris Brown. Two decades later, it might start again.

It’s hard to tell the story of the private Atlanta historically Black college without mentioning the famed Marching Wolverines.

The Latest

Students and supporters light candles and sing during a vigil for conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Georgia Tech’s Campanile Fountain on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. The event was hosted by Tech’s chapter of Turning Point USA, which has seen a flood of interest since Kirk's murder. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Credit: Daniel Varnado/For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia students flock to Turning Point USA after Charlie Kirk killing

DeKalb schools superintendent pleads not guilty to federal charges

Cobb school board member accused in civil case of $250K theft agrees to settle lawsuit

Featured

Housing affordability is the top concern for metro Atlanta residents, according to a new survey. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Hendren

Metro Atlantans sour on housing affordability, pessimism is growing, poll says

The economy ranked as the top issue facing metro Atlanta last year, supplanting crime for the number one spot. This is the first year housing affordability has been an option.

DeKalb schools superintendent pleads not guilty to federal charges

Devon Horton has resigned from his role as DeKalb County superintendent, He has pleaded not guilty to federal charges stemming from his previous job in Illinois.

See video police say shows ex-PSC candidate Durand take Georgia Power secrets

Patty Durand has long criticized Georgia Power for concealing information under the cloak of trade secret about various initiatives and requests of state regulators.