Success comes from a steady climb to the top, however, changes to the environment can create blockades from success and change the trajectory of an individual’s path.
Students take Georgia Milestones End of Grade (EOG) tests in grades three through eight, and Georgia Milestones End of Course (EOC) tests in identified high school courses. The Georgia Milestones are an assessment system that meets the federal requirement that states test students in math and English/ Language Arts (ELA) in grades 3-8 and once in high school, and in science once per grade band (3-5, 6-8, 9-12). Georgia Milestones assesses student learning along four levels of achievement:
For the Baldwin County School system, based on recently released Georgia Milestones scores, there is still a struggle to meet grade level expectations after the impact of COVID.
“Scores increased on 16 of 21 assessments, compared to the 2021- 2022 school year. While scores have not yet reached pre-pandemic levels, the scores clearly show that academic recovery is underway in the Baldwin County Schools,” Superintendent Dr. Noris Price said in a recent press release.
According to the press release, the percentage of Baldwin students achieving the proficient learner level and above increased on 14 of 21 EOG and EOC assessments. These students are considered on track towards being college or career ready.
Please note, the following report below is a summarization of the overall system reports. In comparison to the 2020- 2021 school year system report, more students took Georgia Milestones this school year in every subject. Due to this, data is skewed from reports of last year.
2021-2022 System Report for End of Course Exams
In American Literature and Composition, the system had about 95 more testers. This year, 46.5% of students have a below grade level reading status and 53.5% of students had a grade level or above reading status. 23.5% of students were reported as proficient learners or above.
In Algebra 1, the testing numbers were not as skewed. 25.5% of students were reported as proficient learners or above.
In Biology, the system had about 175 more testers. 24.9% of students were reported as proficient learners or above.
In U.S. History, the testing numbers were not as skewed. 20.1% of students were reported as proficient learners or above.
2021-2022 System Report for End of Grade Exams
In the third grade, the system had about 85 more testers in each subject than last year. This year, 58.5% of students have a below grade level reading status and 41.5% of students had a grade level or above reading status. 16% of students were proficient learners or above in English and Language Arts. 21% of students were proficient learners or above in Mathematics.
In the fourth grade, the system had about 79 more testers in each subject than last year. This year, 70.1% of students have a below grade level reading status and 29.9% of students had a grade level or above reading status. 13.5% of students were proficient learners or above in English and Language Arts. 14.3% of students were proficient learners or above in Mathematics.
In the fifth grade, the system had about 58 more testers in each subject than last year. This year, 52% of students have a below grade level reading status and 48% of students had a grade level or above reading status. 17.6% of students were proficient learners or above in English and Language Arts. 21% of students were proficient learners or above in Mathematics.
In the sixth grade, the number of testers was not as skewed. 66.4% of students have a below grade level reading status and 33.6% of students had a grade level or above reading status. 19.8% of students were proficient learners or above in English and Language Arts. 17% of students were proficient learners or above in Mathematics.
In the seventh grade, the system had about 73 more testers in each subject than last year. 51.8% of students have a below grade level reading status, and 48.2% of students had a grade level or abov reading status. 38.1% of students were proficient learners or above in English and Language Arts. 39% of students were proficient learners above in Mathematics.
In the eighth grade, th system had about 60 mo testers in each subject than last year. 51.3% of students have a below grade level reading statu and 48.7% of students had a grade level or abov reading status. 23.8% of students were proficient learners or above in English and Language Arts. 17.1% of students were proficient learners above in Mathematics.
Conclusion
Based on the reports o EOC exams, more than half of high school-aged students can read at thei grade level or above, and all subjects have relativel similar reports on proficient learners with the majority of students bein developing learners and above.
Based on the reports o EOG exams, all grades have the majority of students being below grade level reading statu In the elementary grades students have more proficiency in mathematics than in English and Language Arts. In the middle school grades, there is also a higher profciency in mathematics, excluding seventh grade.
According to the recent press release, Baldwin County schools individually saw the largest increases in the percentage of students scoring proficient and above in third-grade ELA (increased six points), third-grade math (increased 11 points), eighth-grade social studies (increased five points), eighthgrade math (increased seven points), eighthgrade physical science (increased 17 points), American Lit & Composition (increased six points), United States History (increased five points) and Algebra (increased 14 points).
Overall, the majority of students in the school system are developing learners and above in their grade level, and reading statuses tend to fall below the normal lexile level for that grade. However, the reading statuses show less difference in the higher grade levels above third and fourth grade showing improvement of reading as students graduate into the next grade level.
“The academic growth of students is the most critical factor in achieving proficiency at high levels for all students. Our students continue to make us proud of their hard work and growth,” said Price. “We are committed to providing superior learning environments to foster individual student success and will continue to work toward closing the learning gap that was created by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
To look at individual school reports or the system reports for the 2022 Milestone visit the Georgia Department of Education website – https://www.gadoe.org/ Curriculum-Instructionand-Assessment/ Assessment/Pages/ Georgia_2021-2022_ Assessment_Results.aspx
NOTE: Use caution in interpreting changes from 2020-2021 state-level results, due to reduced test participation and pandemic-related impacts on students’ learning environments. In general, comparisons to 2020-21 school and district-level results should not be made.