Results from recent Georgia Department of Education Milestone assessments reveal growth in literacy rates and support the district’s Strategic Plan’s focus on continuous improvement in reading.
The Georgia Department of Education’s Georgia Milestone End of Grade assessments are administered yearly in grades 3-8. A student’s Reading Status Score is based on student performance on the Reading & Vocabulary subset of items on the ELA assessment and the associated Lexile score. In the spring of 2023, the number of Colquitt County students in grades 3-8 who scored at the Grade Level or Above level increased in each grade compared to the previous year. Students in grades 3, 6, and 7 increased the percentage of students who scored at the Grade Level or Above level in 2022 and 2023. Student literacy results in grades 3-7 are approaching pre-pandemic outcomes, indicating the positive influence of the district’s implementation of new reading resources and strategies based on the science of reading. In 2023, eighth-grade students surpassed the 2018 pre-pandemic percentage of students scoring at the Grade Level or Above level by 4.9%.
Results on Advanced Placement assessments from Spring 2023 strengthen Colquitt County students’ transcripts and increase their potential for better college outcomes.
Advanced Placement (AP) is a program created by the College Board in the United States and Canada. AP offers undergraduate university-level curricula and examinations to high school students. Colleges and universities in the US and elsewhere may grant placement and course credit to students who obtain qualifying scores on the examinations. The AP curriculum for each subject is created for the College Board by a panel of experts and college-level educators in that academic discipline. Advanced Placement (AP) Exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5. Many US colleges grant credit and/or advanced placement for scores of 3 and above.
The Colquitt County School District had the largest number of students taking AP assessments in the Spring of 2023 and the largest number of scores of 3 or higher since 2018. 332 AP exams were administered at Colquitt County High School across 18 courses that range from world languages, mathematics, literature, history, science, and the fine arts. Nine of the assessed courses showed an increase in the percentage of students achieving a score of 3 or higher compared to 2022. 100% of Colquitt County High School students who took the Chemistry AP exam in May of 2023 scored a 3 or higher, easing the way for them to receive college credit for the course before entering most colleges. Students are recognized by the College Board every fall for meeting certain achievement levels by naming them AP Scholars. This year’s group of students is the third-largest number of AP Scholars on record for the district (https://www.colquitt.k12.ga.us/news/1771060/cchs-sees-an-increase-in-advanced-placement-scholars)
CCHS Student Participation in Dual Enrollment Courses and Work-Based Learning Opportunities Significantly Increased in 2022-23
Colquitt County High School student participation in dual enrollment courses at various colleges across the state increased markedly in 2022-2023. Dual enrollment courses allow high school students to earn college credit while working on their high school diploma. Dual enrollment aims to increase college access and completion and prepare students to enter the workforce with the skills they need to succeed. Students at CCHS successfully completed 791 college courses between August of 2022 and May of 2023 that may enable them to graduate early and/or possibly even earn an associate degree, diploma, or certificate while significantly reducing future out-of-pocket expenses for tuition.
The number of CCHS students participating in Work-Based Learning (WBL) opportunities has increased 67% in the last two years. In 2023, 219 WBL CCHS students immersed themselves in a particular field and interacted with professionals who have worked in it for years. In addition to honing their technical and critical thinking skills, students in WBL programs develop crucial career readiness skills like professionalism, teamwork, communication, and initiative. CCHS expects a significant increase in WBL students for the 2023-2024 school year.
Upcoming Assessments for Students
This month, Colquitt County students will take the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) benchmark assessment. The assessment measures student achievement and a student’s growth in mathematics and reading over time. The results inform how teachers can best personalize instruction to match student needs. Families will receive their student’s MAP Growth Family Report at the beginning of September. The report provides data regarding a student’s academic knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as information to consider/discuss with the student’s teacher.
Additional information on curriculum, instruction, and assessment can be found by visiting www.colquitt.k12.ga.us/departments/curriculum-instruction-assessment.