Georgia Milestones Scores Show Improvement in Student Performance

Georgia students showed strong improvement on the 2021-2022 Georgia Milestones assessments.

Scores increased or held steady on 17 of 21 assessments, compared to the 2020-2021 school year. While scores have not yet reached pre-pandemic levels, the scores clearly show that academic recovery is underway in Georgia’s public schools.

“Georgia’s teachers, students, and the rest of our public education family have worked hard to get learning back on track following the disruption of the pandemic,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “From offering expanded summer and afterschool programs to the efforts of dedicated Academic Recovery Specialists, the state, districts, and local schools have been laser-focused on addressing the impact of lost learning opportunities. These results show those efforts are paying off and students’ academic achievement has returned to the upward trajectory it was on prior to COVID-19.”

Specifically, the percentage of students achieving the Proficient Learner level and above increased or held steady on 17 of 21 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 or career.

The largest increases in the percentage of students scoring Proficient & Above were recorded in American Literature & Composition (increased 12 points), United States History (increased 9 points), Algebra I (increased 7 points), Biology (increased 5 points), third-grade math (increased 5 points), and eighth-grade math (increased 4 points).

This year’s scores will set a new baseline for schools’ and districts’ performance, and GaDOE will use the scores to determine where to push in supports and continue addressing the impact of lost learning opportunities due to the pandemic.

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.

See Score Files HERE.

*NOTE from GaDOE: 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 2020-2021 school- and district-level results should not be made.