Georgia Milestones 2022-23 results released, RCPS rises in critical Georgia Milestones areas

Conyers, Ga. – The Georgia Department of Education recently released the 2022-2023 Georgia Milestones assessment results. Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) students continued to show improvement in many areas, including, most importantly, in the critical areas of reading for grades 3, 5, and 8. Scores increased or held steady on 12 of 20 assessments among students scoring at the proficient and above levels, compared to the 2021-2022 school year. Scores increased or held steady on seven of 20 assessments among students scoring at the developing and above levels. The state’s release included 21 total assessments for school systems that administered the Algebra I EOC.

“I am pleased with the progress made by our students on several End of Grade and End of Course Milestones assessments,” said RCPS Superintendent Dr. Terry Oatts. “It is important to note that our third-grade students from last year, whose entire K-3 school experience has been impacted by the pandemic, improved in reading on the Milestones assessment. Demonstrating proficiency in reading by third grade is a significant indicator of future student success, so it is especially encouraging to see the increases in reading, particularly in the early grades. Of course, we still have more work to do, and we will continue to invest in evidence-based strategies to ensure a viable birth-12th grade literacy curriculum. This data helps to inform instruction and direct resources to continue to support our students and increase their learning, growth, and achievement.”  

Details on 2022-2023 Georgia Milestones Scores  

The percentage of students achieving the Proficient Learner level and above increased or held steady on 12 of 20 End of Grade (EOG) and End of Course (EOC) assessments. Students who achieve the Proficient Learner designation are considered on track to being ready for college and career.

Comparison of 2021-22 to 2022-23		EOG	EOC	Combined
Proficient Learner & Above	increased	8	2	10
	same	1	1	2
	decreased	7	1	8
Developing Learner & Above	increased	3	3	6
	same	1	0	1
	decreased	12	1	13

Continued Investment in Academic Recovery

Most RCPS gains in the 2022-2023 Georgia Milestones scores occurred in Reading at the critical transition elementary and middle grades of 3, 5, and 8 and in Algebra, Biology, and U.S. History at the high school level, while most declines occurred disproportionately in Math and ELA at the elementary school level.  

RCPS has been proactive in implementing several new initiatives to ensure that our schools have the resources they need to close these gaps. Some of them include:

•    Reading Recovery:  
o    Short-term, early intervention for below-grade-level first graders
o    Provides daily one-on-one lessons from a specially trained teacher for 12 to 20 weeks
o    National Reading Recovery data shows 75% of students meet or exceed grade-level standards following a full series of lessons
o    The Teacher Training Network provides on-going collaboration and support
•    L4GA Grant Initiatives:  
o    Books for families and classrooms
o    Training for parents
o    Pre-K tutors to promote kindergarten readiness
o    Literacy awareness events
o    Professional learning
o    Age-appropriate assessments  
o    Summer transition  
•    Tutor.com:  
o    Tutor.com provides 24/7, expert, one-on-one academic support and tutoring for learners in all grades K-12

About Georgia Milestones

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 assessment system meets the federal requirement that states test students in math and 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:

Beginning Learners do not yet demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified in Georgia’s content standards. The students need substantial academic support to be prepared for the next grade level or course and to be on track for college and career readiness.

Developing Learners demonstrate partial proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified by Georgia’s content standards. The students need additional academic support to ensure success in the next grade level or course and to be on track for college and career readiness.

Proficient Learners demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified in Georgia’s content standards. The students are prepared for the next grade level or course and are on track for college and career readiness.     

Distinguished Learners demonstrate advanced proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified in Georgia’s content standards. The students are well prepared for the next grade level or course and are well prepared for college and career readiness.

To view all the Milestones results, please visit the Georgia Department of Education at www.gadoe.org.