The Thomaston-Upson School System’s 2024 Georgia Milestones Assessment System (GMAS) results, released on July 26 by the Georgia Department of Education, provide evidence of student improvement in multiple grades and content areas.
Students take Georgia Milestones End of Grade (EOG) tests in grades 3-8 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, once in high school, and science once per grade band (3-5, 6-8, 9-12).
“We are excited to kick off the new school year with such positive news from the previous school year,” stated Superintendent Dr. Larry Derico. “These Georgia Milestones results validate the hard work of our teachers, our classroom paraprofessionals, our leaders, and our students. It is encouraging to see that we are finally reaching and surpassing pre-pandemic scores, but we know there is still much work to be done. We will continue to focus on literacy, on standards-based instruction, and on building relationships with our students and their families in efforts to ensure continued growth and success for all students,” he concluded.
Deputy Superintendent Dr. Amy Miller stated, “In 2020, the Thomaston-Upson School System launched a six-year plan to overhaul literacy instruction in Pre-K through 5th grade and focus on fundamental literacy skills within other core contents and grades 6-12. Using federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds, the district invested in professional learning for teachers and new instructional resources to ensure best practices in reading and literacy instruction. As a result of this initiative and our teachers’ unwavering commitment to their students, foundational literacy scores in areas such as phonics and phonemic awareness in Pre-K through second grade have continued to climb.”
Miller noted that increases in foundational literacy in the primary grades have directly impacted student performance on the English-Language Arts GMAS and that the cross-curricular focus on comprehension and language strategies in grades 6-12 has increased English-language arts (ELA) achievement. Important Content Area Highlights from Thomaston-Upson Schools 2024 GA Milestones: ● 3rd Grade: Highest percentage of students scoring Developing, Proficient, and Distinguished since 2019 (55.8%)
● 3rd Grade: Highest percentage of students scoring Proficient and Distinguished since 2017 (27.6%)
● 3rd Grade: Highest percentage of students reading on grade level since 2017 (57.7%)
● 4th Grade: Record percentage of students scoring Proficient and Distinguished in TU 4th Grade ELA (31.1%)
● 5th Grade: Record percentage of students scoring Developing, Proficient, and Distinguished in TU 5th Grade ELA (76.7%)
● 5th Grade: Record percentage of students scoring Proficient and Distinguished in TU 5th Grade ELA (43.9%)
● 5th Grade: Record percentage of students reading on grade level in TU 5th Grade ELA GMAS (74%)
● 5th Grade: Percentage of students reading on grade level is above state average (72.1%)
● 8th Grade: Highest percentage of students scoring Developing, Proficient, and Distinguished since 2017 (76.6%)
● 8th Grade: Highest percentage of students scoring Proficient and Distinguished since 2017 (35%)
● 8th Grade: Highest percentage of students reading on grade level since 2017 (70.6%)
● American Literature: Students scoring Developing, Proficient, and Distinguished increased by 2.6 percentage points (61.3%); the percentage of students reading on grade level increased by 7.2 percentage points (54.3%) Important Course Highlights from Thomaston-Upson Schools 2024 GA Milestones:
● 5th Grade Science: Students scoring Developing, Proficient, and Distinguished increased by 8.8 percentage points (65.2%); the percentage of students scoring Proficient and Distinguished increased by 11.2 percentage points (43.6%)
● 5th Grade Science: The percentage of students scoring Proficient and Distinguished is above the state average (41.7%)
● 8th Grade Science: Students scoring Developing, Proficient, and Distinguished increased by 7.1 percentage points (51.6%); the percentage of students scoring Proficient and Distinguished increased by five percentage points (17.3%)
● 8th Grade Social Studies: Students scoring Developing, Proficient, and Distinguished increased by 1.8 percentage points (68.5%); the percentage of students scoring Proficient and Distinguished increased by 3.9 percentage points (30.8%)
● 8th Grade Physical Science: Students scoring Developing, Proficient, and Distinguished increased by 2.7 percentage points (90.7%; highest score since 2019); the percentage of students scoring Proficient and Distinguished increased by 6.5 percentage points (46.3%) ● 8th Grade Physical Science: The percentage of students scoring Developing, Proficient, and Distinguished is above the state average (74.4%)
● Biology: Students scoring Developing, Proficient, and Distinguished increased by 0.6 percentage points (69.5%); the highest percentage of students scoring Developing, Proficient, and Distinguished since 2018
Note: 2024 GA Milestones math results will be released at a later date due to new K-12 state standards and new state assessments to align with these standards. Additional information about Georgia’s 2024 Georgia Milestones can be found at:
https://www.gadoe.org/External-Affairs-and Policy/communications/Pages/PressReleaseDetails.aspx?PressView=default&pid=1151
About Georgia Milestones
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 college and career readiness.
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