For a list of FAQs about the Georgia Milestones, as well as an explanation of assessments, go to www.testing.gadoe.org and utilize the test practice site at www.gaexperienceonline.com.
January ushers in the New Year and a signals an end to the holiday break for students as they return to school to begin a more intensive focus on preparing for the Georgia Milestones test.
While there’s a lot of debate surrounding the amount and necessity of standardized school testing, the main goal is to determine what students have learned, and data extracted from various tests is used by school systems to determine needs.
The 2015-2016 school year marks the second year of the administration of the Georgia Milestones test, which was introduced last school year and is given to students in grades 3 through 12. According to the Georgia Department of Education’s website, the Georgia Milestones test replaced three former tests: the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests, End-of-Course tests and the Georgia Writing Assessments.
The transition to the Georgia Milestones has not been without bumps. In November 2015, Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Meria Carstarphen posted information on her blog, www.atlsuper.com, with an explanation of the 2014-2015 test results, as did AJC education columnist Maureen Downey.
It’s important to stay abreast of what information and resources are being shared regarding this school year’s test prep and administration. On the local level, teachers and administrators share information as it becomes available to them.
Last semester, I attended curriculum night at my youngest daughter’s elementary school and the 5th grade teaching team talked to parents about preparations for the upcoming test. One of the biggest surprises for me was learning that the testing prep guide for 5th grade is 202-pages long and is available for viewing online.
I didn’t take a keyboarding class until I was in high school, but because computers and other electronic devices are now so widely used in education, students are learning this skill as early as elementary school. My daughter’s technology teacher has been working with students on this skill. This is important because some students may be using an online platform to take the test, which will feature a lot more writing.
As a parent, I have to prepare for the test as well. Thankfully, not for the actual testing portion myself, but to become knowledgeable so that I can help my children prepare. And while that preparation portion can be a little overwhelming, for both students and parents, research is a key way to navigate the process.
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