Scores from the inaugural administration of the Georgia Milestones Assessment System (GMAS) were released by the Georgia Department of Education.
Houston County students outperformed the state average in most subject areas.
Georgia’s new comprehensive testing system was first administered in 2014-2015. Students in grades 3-8 took the Georgia Milestones End of Grade (EOG) Assessments, while students in grades 9-12 took Georgia Milestones End of Course (EOC) Assessments.
GMAS assesses student learning on four levels of achievement: Beginning, Developing, Proficient and Distinguished. The achievement levels help teachers pinpoint where students are in relation to their peers across the state so that teachers may develop individualized strategies to help students continue to improve and be more successful.
“Our students, teachers and administrators are to be commended for their performance on the Georgia Milestones,” commented Superintendent of Schools Mark Scott. “We are pleased to outperform the state average in almost every area on these new assessments. Currently the data are being analyzed from the system to student levels to identify both positive and negative trends. As we adjust to changes in standards and assessments with higher expectations, we anticipate continued improvements and better scores.”
Georgia Milestones replaced the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT). Students took the CRCT for the last time in 2013-2014. Georgia Milestones scores and CRCT scores are not directly comparable because they are two different tests. Georgia Milestones measure the progression of student learning while the CRCT which measured a test score at one point in time. 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. The Milestones tests are more rigorous, so a decrease in test scores was expected statewide.
In addition to multiple choice, Georgia Milestones include constructed response and extended response items in math and English/language arts which require students to generate, rather than select, responses. The new Milestones English tests incorporate a writing component and include open-ended questions to better assess student’s content knowledge. GMAS streamlines the testing system and reduces the number of tests students take.
System and state scores follow. Parents will receive their children’s scores in December.
“I wish to personally commend the teachers, superintendents and other educators who set the expectations for the Milestones test,” Georgia Superintendent Richard Woods said. “They have sent a clear message that their children, not test scores, will come first. The height of expectations set by our educators has given public education in Georgia a more accurate view of where our students are academically and laid a path to where we need to go. We will continue to review testing within our state and provide our teachers and school systems the support they need to ensure student success. Our teachers have displayed a strong message of ownership and responsibility, and it is our job to remove the barriers that might hinder them in this bold step.”
Georgia’s accountability system, the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI), currently uses CRCT and End-of-Course Test results for all areas. Georgia Milestones results will be used to calculate school and district CCRPI scores, but the 2015 CCRPI is a hold harmless year since this was the first year Georgia Milestones was administered.
A description of the performance levels follows.
· 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.
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