Marietta City Schools Shows Unprecedented Growth on Georgia Milestones
MCS demonstrates growth across grade levels and content areas
Marietta, GA – Marietta City Schools (MCS) demonstrated unprecedented growth across grade levels and content areas, as measured by student performance on the Georgia Milestones. For the first time since the implementation of the Georgia Milestones, the district surpassed or matched the state in English Language Arts (ELA) for all grade levels tested (grades 3-10; refer to Table
Table 1
District elementary school performance in ELA, as measured by students scoring “proficient” and “distinguished”, showed gains across all grade levels. The same pattern of success was achieved at Marietta Sixth Grade Academy, Marietta Middle School, and Marietta High School – every grade level had more students scoring in “proficient” and “distinguished” (compared to previous school year; refer to Table 2).
Table 2
Of particular note, relative to mean scale score, double-digit gains in the mean scale were achieved for students in English Language Arts at Marietta Sixth Grade Academy (10-point increase) and Ninth Grade Literature at Marietta High School (17-point increase).
Additionally, MCS continues to close the achievement gap for students identified in the following subgroups: Black, Hispanic, Students with Disabilities (SWD), and English Learners (EL).
- Black students – demonstrated positive gains in 18 out of 24 assessments (grades 3-12; all content areas)
- Hispanic students – demonstrated positive gains in 20 out of 24 assessments (grades 3-12; all content areas)
- Students with Disabilities – demonstrated positive gains in 14 out of 23 assessments (grades 3-12; all content areas)
- English Learners – demonstrated positive gains in 16 out of 22 assessments (grades 3-12; all content areas)
The most improved MCS schools include:
- L. Burruss Elementary School
- Dunleith Elementary School
- Hickory Hills Elementary School
- Sawyer Road Elementary School
- Marietta Sixth Grade Academy
- Marietta Middle School
- Marietta High School
As the MCS elementary school demonstrating the highest gains in achievement, Hickory Hills Elementary School achieved an average double-digit gain across all grade levels and content areas. Principal Kristen Beaudin stated, “Our staff has been relentless in their efforts to support the academic and social-emotional needs of every child. We focus on the whole child, encouraging each to reach their fullest potential.”
In comparison to the previous school year, A.L. Burruss Elementary School showed an increase of 15 percentage points for students identified as “distinguished” on the third grade ELA End of Grade assessment. Dunleith Elementary School increased fifth grade student performance in “proficient” and “distinguished” across three content areas: 11 percentage points in ELA, 17 percentage points in math, and 22 percentage points in science. Sawyer Road Elementary School demonstrated a 15-percentage point gain in third grade math and an 18-percentage point gain for fifth grade science in students scoring “proficient” and “distinguished”.
Marietta High School posted gains of 12 percentage points (compared to the previous school year) for students scoring “proficient” and “distinguished” in each of three End of Course assessments: 9th Grade Literature, Algebra I, and Physical Science.
Superintendent Dr. Grant Rivera acknowledged the continued achievement gains of MCS, “In looking at student achievement over the last two years, we see unprecedented growth across grade levels and content areas. 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.”
Board of Education Chair Jason Waters said, “Marietta is committed to providing the resources that every teacher needs to be successful. Our success demonstrates these resources are having an impact in the classroom.”
What is the Georgia Milestones Assessment System?
The Georgia Milestones is a comprehensive summative assessment program for grades three through twelve. Georgia Milestones measures how well students have learned the knowledge and skills outlined in the state content standards in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Students in grades three through eight take an End of Grade (EOG) assessment in each content area. High school students take an End of Course (EOC) assessment in eight courses.
How are the results of the Georgia Milestones scored?
Your student’s performance on the assessment is reported in one of four achievement levels: (1) Beginning Learner, (2) Developing Learner, (3) Proficient Learner, or (4) Distinguished Learner. Students also received a scale score for each test. Using the scale score, you can compare a student’s performance with the average student in the school, district, and state. A student’s performance in each subject is described in greater detail using domain categories for each subject area.
Where do I obtain more information about the Georgia Milestones?
The Georgia Department of Education has provided school-by-school results for the Spring 2019 administration for Marietta City Schools and other schools/districts in the State of Georgia. To access this information, visit this link.
