94 percent of Gwinnett 8th graders pass writing test

Gwinnett County Public Schools had an average passing rate of 94 percent on the 8th grade state writing test when the test was administered to more than 12,600 of the district’s students in January. That was a one-percentage point increase over the average passing rate for 2012, the district reported Monday. District officials also touted the success of their top scoring students. Fifteen percent of the district’s students received the highest score possible, an “exceeds” standards, compared to six percent statewide. The writing test focuses on essential literacy skill development in four categories: ideas, organization, style and conventions.