Results Show Fulton Students Exceed State on Milestone Exams

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Scores from the 2014-2015 administration of the Georgia Milestones Assessment System have been released for Grades 3-8 (End-of-Grade exams) and Grades 9-12 (End-of-Course exams), and a first look at those results look promising for Fulton County schools.

These preliminary scores reflect the first administration of Georgia’s new comprehensive testing system that replaces the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests and the Georgia High School Graduation Tests.

“Although we’re still examining our data, our early analyses show that the percentages of Fulton students scoring ‘Proficient’ or ‘Distinguished’ [Levels 3 and 4] are higher than their state and metro Atlanta [Regional Educational Service Agency] peers,” said Kenneth Zeff, interim superintendent. “This occurred in all subject areas for both the End-of-Grade exams and End-of-Course exams.”

Unlike the CRCT, the Georgia Milestones assess student learning along four levels of performance. The CRCT previously assessed in three levels, and the Georgia Department of Education says that the use of four designations aims to shift the focus away from just test scores, instead capturing the progression of students’ learning:

• Beginning Learners (Level 1) 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 (Level 2) 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 (Level 3) 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 (Level 4) 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.

Students took the CRCT for the last time during the 2013-2014 school year and began taking Georgia Milestones assessments last spring. The new tests set a higher bar for student proficiency, and standards were developed using input from more than 300 educators in Georgia school systems, universities and technical colleges.

The state cautions against comparing Georgia Milestones scores with previous CRCT scores, as the tests are constructed differently and have different expectations set for student achievement.

In addition to multiple choice, Georgia Milestones includes open-ended questions to better gauge students’ content mastery and, with some exceptions for special education students with specific testing accommodations, tests will be administered entirely online by the fifth year of implementation.

“It’s natural to want to compare the Milestones with the CRCT, but they are completely separate tests,” Zeff continued. “The Milestones assessments are more rigorous, and we anticipated that our scores would be lower this first year. That’s something to be expected whenever a new test is developed and administered. Our challenge now is how to use this new data to evaluate our instructional practices and make improvements where needed.”

Milestones data to shape Georgia accountability index and promotion system

The new Milestones assessment also ties in with Georgia’s school accountability system. Previously the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) used CRCT and EOCT results for all areas but Milestones results will now be used to calculate school and district CCRPI scores.

However, the 2015 CCRPI is a “hold harmless” year since it was the first year Georgia Milestones was administered. The Georgia Department of Education also is exploring the option of schools earning points for Developing Learners, Proficient Learners, and Distinguished Learners.

As in previous assessments, the Milestones will be used for promotion consideration; however, the 2014-2015 administration was considered “hold harmless” for End-of-Grade and End-of-Course test-takers. This school year, students in grades 3, 5, and 8 must demonstrate they can read and comprehend grade-level material in order to advance to the next grade by achieving the Developing Learner level (Level 2) on the reading section of the English/Language Arts test.

Students in grades 5 and 8 must also demonstrate grade-level skills (minimum Developing Learner level) in the mathematics section. Similarly, the End-of-Course tests will count 20 percent of a student’s final grade beginning this school year.

This April and May, students in grades 3-12 will take the Milestones tests as part of their End-of-Grade and End-of-Course exams. Results are expected to be reported by late spring similar to previous years’ reporting timelines.

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