Students in the Marietta City and Cobb County school systems increased their scores on the 2019 Georgia Milestones assessments.
The Milestone tests gauge how well students have mastered state standards in English language arts, mathematics, social studies and science. Third- through eighth-grade students are given end-of-grade exams on English and math, with fifth- through eight-graders also taking tests on social studies and science. High school students are given end-of-course tests for the 10 courses outlined by the state board of education.
Student performance is rated on four levels of “learner”: beginner (1), developing (2), proficient (3) or distinguished (4).
For the first time since the state rolled out the system in the 2014-15 school year, Marietta City Schools said its students’ average score matched or surpassed the state average in English for grades 3 through 10. It also said the percentages of students scoring at the proficient and distinguished levels inched higher in each of those grade levels.
The district saw a 10-point increase in English language arts at the Marietta Sixth Grade Academy from last year to this year, and a 17-point increase for ninth-grade literature at Marietta High School.
“In looking at student achievement over the last two years, we see unprecedented growth across grade levels and content areas,” said Marietta Superintendent Grant Rivera. “This does not happen without the phenomenal dedication and talent of our staff who work each and every day to support our students and families.”
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Cobb County said its students increased their scores and outperformed their peers around the region and the state.
According to the district’s review of its end-of-grade and end-of-course results, 83.8 percent of students scored as developing learners or higher. That compared to 81.9 percent of Gwinnett County students, 78.5 for Fulton, 77.9 for Marietta City, 65.1 percent for DeKalb and 64.6 for Atlanta Public Schools. The state average was 75.6. Cobb school Superintendent Chris Ragsdale said, “Cobb students continue to excel and outperform their peers because of the commitment of our teachers, staff, parents, and community members to deliver the highest level of success for each and every student.”
Cobb students also increased scores and outpaced the state average in four subject areas: English language arts (Cobb: 84 percent; state: 77 percent); math (Cobb: 85 percent; state: 77 percent); science (Cobb: 78 percent, state: 70 percent); and social studies (Cobb: 87 percent, state: 77 percent).
View school district and state level Georgia Milestones results here.
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