CCSD Superintendent Dr. Robbie Hooker said that while there is still room to grow, he is pleased with the work from teachers to create a “rigorous” and “equitable” learning environment, and the results from the Georgia Milestones support their efforts.
From Spring 2023 to Spring 2024, CCSD elementary students grew 2.8 points and middle school students grew 2.6 points in English language arts testing, while around the state, elementary students grew by 2.5 points and middle school students by 1.9 points.
Overall, Black students’ performance increased by 3.5 points and white students’ performance increased by 3.8 points in ELA proficiency, their highest levels in five years. Students in special education surpassed their pre-covid levels with a 2.4 increase.
Other highlights from the data include:
- From 2023-2024, CCSD middle school students reached nearly 37% growth in on-level reading comprehension compared to 35% at the state level. 8th graders surpassed pre-pandemic levels, while 6th graders have achieved an 8.5% increase over the last three years. However, the overall grade-level reading proficiency for 3rd through 8th grade was down to 52.3% this year compared to 52.9% in 2023.
- In science, middle school students increased by 3 points and elementary students increased by 2.6 points in proficiency— 5th graders at Burks, Timothy Road, and Barrow elementary schools tested above the state average.
- In social studies, 8th graders at Clarke Middle School tested above the state average score and increased by 6.3 points in proficiency.
Out of CCSD, Johnnie Lay Burks, Timothy Road, and Barrow elementary schools surpassed the state average for ELA scores overall. Cleveland Road and Barnett Shoals elementary schools had relatively large increases in ELA proficiency at 12.5 points and 10.5 points.
The Georgia Milestone assessment evaluates students between 3rd and 8th grade on academic content based on the state’s standards for language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. It measures what each student has learned or taken away from what is taught each year.