By Mark Woolsey
Both Cobb County and Marietta City Schools are expressing satisfaction with the latest round of Georgia Milestones assessments, with Cobb officials saying the end of grade assessment in students from third through eighth grades showed the students outperforming the statewide average in every subject.
Similar end-of-course assessments are given to high school students taking specific classes as well. The tests measure math, science, social studies and English Language Arts skills. The high-schoolers also bested the statewide average
Some of the most notable increases happened locally in the math and science spaces.
In Marietta, the district ranked in the top five among Metro Atlanta school districts for math scores in grades three through six. Fourth graders scored the metro’s number one improvement in math.
In Cobb County schools, excellence in math was quickly evident, with 33 schools having 90 percent or more of their students achieving “developing learner” or above.
In science, students at 20 Cobb County schools tested at that same high benchmark.
Marietta City schools also made impressive gains in the sciences, say district officials. Fifth grade students recorded the district’s highest percentage of students ranked as proficient or distinguished in that area since the Milestone tests began 11 years ago.
Both districts reported encouraging results in the social studies category, with-Marietta City schools saying scores jumped 15 points in a single year, now outpacing the state average.
Still to be revealed are scores in the English Language Arts, which are expected to be made public in coming months.
About the Georgia Milestones Assessment System
The Georgia Milestones Assessment System measures how well students in grades three through high school have learned the state’s academic standards in English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies.
Students take End-of-Grade assessments in designated subjects and grades. Middle and high school students enrolled in certain courses take End-of-Course assessments. The results help measure students’ academic progress and readiness for the next grade, course or postsecondary education. Parents, schools, policymakers and the public can also use the results to evaluate and improve Georgia’s education system.