Douglas Schools Top State Average in 9 of 30 Areas

Douglas County middle school students helped the school system register improvements in 22 of 30 content areas in the six grades that were tested as part of the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCTs), the Georgia Department of Education reported Wednesday.

CRCTs test students from third to eighth grade in reading, English/language arts, math, science and social studies.

Students in third, fifth and eighth grade must meet or exceed grade requirements on the CRCT in reading in order to advance, according to state law. Fifth- and eighth-grade students also need to meet or exceed expectations on the CRCT in mathematics to proceed to the next grade.

The seventh-graders increased their math scores from 76.7 percent meeting or exceeding the standard in 2010 to 86.1 percent—a 9.4 percent increase. In social studies, scoring improved from 69.4 percent meeting or exceeding the standard to 74.7 percent this year. Science scores also climbed from 76.6 percent to 80.4 percent.

Eighth graders also improved their social studies scores with 68.3 percent meeting or exceeding the standard this year, compared to 63.4 percent in 2010. The class also improved its English/language arts scores from 90.8 percent meeting or exceeding the standard to 94.4 percent this year. The state’s average was 92.8 percent.

Overall, Douglas County students topped the state average in nine of the 30 content areas. County scores are attached to this article while statewide scores are below.

“We are encouraged with the district test scores; scores indicated an increase in most grade levels,” said Catherine Magouyrk, the district’s associate superintendent of student achievement and leadership. “English/language arts (ELA) scores increased in all grades (3-8) and math was up in grades 3, 4, 6 and 7.  Middle school results showed a significant increase in reading, ELA, math and social studies over 2010 scores.”

Fifth and sixth graders each improved in four of their five content areas. The biggest increase for the fifth graders came in math, with 83.4 percent meeting or exceeding the standard compared to 77 percent last year.

Sixth graders raised their social studies scores 10.5 percent from last year with 70.2 percent meeting or exceeding the standard in 2011. Last year, only 59.7 percent met or exceeded the standard. The class also raised its reading score with 94.2 percent passing this year compared to 90.2 percent in 2010.

Third- and fourth-grade students each improved in only two of their five content areas from last year. 

However, fourth graders boasted big gains in social studies and math. Social studies increased from 74.7 percent meeting or exceeding the standard to 81.6 percent–a 6.9 percent increase. Math scores went from 73.9 percent passing to 80.2 percent in 2011.