The Georgia Department of Education (GA DOE) recently released the Georgia Milestones results for the 2016-17 school year1.  Overall, students across the state showed progress in math and language arts, albeit with a slight downward turn in science scores (when all grade levels are considered)2.  For this Friday Factday, we will compare 3rd grade reading (ELA), 8th grade math, and 8th grade science proficiency between the 2015-16 and 2016-17 school years for the nine school districts in the Atlanta Metro’s core counties.  A proficient designation on a Milestones test, according to the GA DOE, means a student is prepared for the next grade level and on track to being college- and career-ready3.

3rd Grade: English Language Arts (ELA)

Not only did most school districts within the five core counties score higher than the state average on 3rd grade reading (ELA) proficiency, most also saw their proficiency improve over the past year.  The City Schools of Decatur exhibited the highest levels of proficiency for the 2016 school year, followed by Buford, Cobb and Fulton.

8th Grade: Math*

The trend in proficiency of eighth graders in math was similar to that of 3rd grade reading, with five of the nine school districts scoring higher than the state average in 2016-17 school year.  The Buford City School District had the highest level of math proficiency as well as the greatest improvement among the core metro school districts. Math proficiency in the City Schools of Decatur, Cobb, Gwinnett and Fulton were also above the state average for the 2016 school year.

8th Grade:  Science*

Despite the overall downward trend for science proficiency when all grade levels are considered, six of the nine core metro school districts demonstrated higher science proficiency in 8th grade than the state average for the 2016 school year. Further, the statewide improvement in 8th grade science proficiency was mirrored across all but one of the nine core metro school districts, while DeKalb County Schools’ proficiency level remained essentially unchanged.

* End-of-Course (EOC) and End-of-Grade (EOG) results combined