North Fulton Schools Show Improvements On State Exams

JOHNS CREEK, GA — Fulton County Schools exceeded state levels for all grades and showed significant gains in math on the Georgia Milestones Assessment System, according to results released today.

Overall district scores, as well as scores for each school in Grades 3-8 (End-of-Grade exams) and Grades 9-12 (End-of-Course exams) are attached here. The tests were taken in Spring 2018.

“We are pleased with the performance of many of our schools, but recognize there are considerable opportunities for improvement,” said Superintendent Jeff Rose, Ed.D. “I also believe in our plan and most importantly our students, staff and communities. We will use this important data to inform our decisions and strategies heading into the new school year.”

District-Wide Performance

At the elementary level, End-of-Grade math scores continued to show an upward trend with increases reported in grades, 3, 4, and 5. Grade 3 proficiency increased by 1 percentage point to 51 percent, Grade 4 by 3 percentage points to 53 percent, and grade 5 by 3 percentage points to 47 percent.

For middle schools, the number of students taking high school courses continued to increase. Fulton’s middle schoolers took over 4,700 End-of-Course assessments in 2018, more than double the number taken in 2015. The overall proficiency rate of that group of test-takers was greater than 85 percent.

Language Arts results were mixed, with minimal increases and decreases reported among grade levels, due partly to changes in how assessments were administered this year. For instance, all English learners participated in End-of-Grade assessments, increasing the number of students in that population taking the exam by 35 percent.

Additionally, Grade 8 middle school students, who took the high-school level Language Arts course, were administered the corresponding End-of-Course assessment. Therefore, those students did not take the End-of-Grade assessment for their grade level, which contributed to an 18 percent drop in the number of Grade 8 test-takers, compared to 2017.

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Even with the implementation of new state standards for social studies and science, Fulton students made gains in Grades 5 and 8 on End-of-Grade assessments. In science, Grade 8 students scoring proficient or distinguished increased by 3 percentage points, to 35 percent. In social studies, Grade 5 student proficiency increased by 4 points to 36 percent; and Grade 8 student proficiency improved by 6 percentage points to 47 percent.

At the high school level, proficiency for students taking End-of-Course tests also exceeded the state levels in all subjects. Proficiency in Biology, Physical Science and Algebra all showed substantial gains, while student performance in Geometry, U.S. History and Economics improved slightly. Student proficiency in Biology increased by 12 percentage points, Physical Science by 12 percentage points, and Algebra by 7 percentage points. Proficiency in ninth grade Literature and American Literature dropped slightly in 2018.

Turnaround Eligible School Performance

Of the eight schools labeled as “Turnaround Eligible” by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, three showed an increase in the overall percentage of students scoring in the Developing Learner category or above in Language Arts. Those schools were Asa G. Hilliard Elementary School, College Park Elementary School and Hamilton E. Holmes Elementary School.

In Grade 5 Science, Asa G. Hilliard Elementary School, Feldwood Elementary School and Hamilton E. Holmes Elementary School had increases in the overall percentage of students scoring in the Developing Learner category or above; and all three schools made double-digit gains in Grade 5 social studies.

In middle school, McNair Middle School, Paul D. West Middle School, and Woodland Middle School saw an increase in the percentage of eighth grade students scoring developing or higher in science and social studies.

“We will continue to provide additional supports to these schools, along with an intense focus on improving student performance in all subjects,” said Superintendent Rose. “We must stay focused on what we believe will have the biggest impact for students; and we will leverage our partnerships and community for support.”

School Highlights in End-of-Grade Tests

Sixteen schools showed 15 or more percentage point increases in students scoring at the Proficient Level in math:

• Grade 3: Amana Academy, Barnwell Elementary School, Chattahoochee Hills Charter School, Hillside Elementary School, Seaborn Lee Elementary School and Vickery Mill Elementary School
• Grade 4: Dunwoody Springs Elementary School, Northwood Elementary School, and River Eves Elementary School
• Grade 5: Amanda Academy, Evoline C. West Elementary School, Hillside Elementary School, KIPP South Fulton, Palmetto Elementary School, State Bridge Elementary School and Wolf Creek Elementary School

Six schools showed 15 or more percentage point increases in the percentage of students at the Proficient Level in Language Arts:

• Grade 3: Amana Academy and Barnwell Elementary School.
• Grade 5: Spalding Drive Elementary School and Stonewall Tell Elementary School.
• Grade 7: Main Street Academy and Chattahoochee Hills Charter School.

School Highlights in End-of-Course Tests

Student proficiency in Fulton remained above state levels in all subjects in 2018; and several schools substantially increased the percentage of students demonstrating proficiency on assessments.

Algebra:

• The percentage of students scoring in the Proficient and Distinguished categories increased by 7 percentage points, to 51 percent.
• Two high schools and one middle school substantially increased the percent of students in the Proficient and Distinguished categories. Alpharetta High School increased by 15 percent, Milton High School by 13 percent, and Bear Creek Middle School by 21 percent.

Biology:

• The percentage of students scoring in the Proficient and Distinguished categories increased by 12 percentage points, to 63 percent.
• Thirteen of 21 schools increased the percentage of students proficient on the Biology exam.
• Eight schools made double-digit gains. Langston Hughes High School increased by 38 percent; Creekside High by 32 percent; Skyview High School by 27 percent; Hapeville Charter Career Academy by 23 percent; Westlake High School by 16 percent; North Springs Charter High School by 12 percent; Alpharetta High School by 11 percent; and Riverwood High School by 11 percent.

Physical Science:

• The percentage of students scoring in the Proficient and Distinguished categories increased 12 percentage points, to 53 percent.
• Five schools made double-digit gains. Riverwood High School increased by 24 percent; Sandy Springs Middle School by 16 percent; Westlake High School by 16 percent; Langston Hughes High School by 14 percent; and Johns Creek High School by 11 percent.

Students began taking Georgia Milestones assessments in 2014-2015. The testing system is one comprehensive program across grades 3-12, which includes open-ended questions to better gauge students’ content mastery. Georgia Milestones assesses student learning along four levels of achievement:

• 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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