Graduation test scores reveal 'gaps'

Ryan Blackburn, "Graduation test scores reveal 'gaps'" Online Athens. May 29, 2010, N.p., n.d. Web. October 12, 2010.

http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/052910/new_646134207.shtml

Athens-area students' science and English pass rates remained strong, with more passing the science portion of the exam than had in previous years, mirroring a statewide trend, the test results show.
Across the state, 90 percent of students passed the science and English components of the exam.
The state requires high school students to pass all four components of the graduation test, as well a written exam that's scored separately, to receive a diploma and count toward a school's graduation rate.
Juniors taking the test for the first time get three additional chances to pass before the end of their senior year, and may retake the test this summer.
First-time test-takers this year passed the tests at the highest rates and surpassed state averages in every subject in the Oconee County, Jefferson City and Commerce City school systems. The percentage of students who passed the tests was lowest in Clarke, Oglethorpe and Barrow county schools.
In Oconee County, more students passed in every subject except social studies this year compared to students last year, while in Clarke and Barrow County, more students failed than last year.
In Oconee County, 89 percent of students passed all four tests, while in neighboring Clarke County, 58 percent of students passed them.
"The results show the gaps we need to address in our high schools and as a system," said Superintendent Philip Lanoue. "We had 100 more students take the test as first-time test-takers this year, and we encourage all students to attempt the graduation test in their third year, as this is a very valuable tool in helping us identify and address gaps."
Each year about 62 percent of the students retaking the test are able to pass, Lanoue said.
Across the state, more students failed the social studies section than any other component of the test, likely because it was the first year the questions were based on a new social studies curriculum, state school officials said.
This year, 78 percent of students passed social studies, down from 87 percent last year.
Officials expected social studies scores to dip.
Math scores didn't drop as severely - from 94 percent passing last year to 91 this year - a decline also attributed to curriculum changes.
"The results of the 2010 (graduation test) are a mixed bag, but they definitely show that the (curriculum) is working in English/language arts and science as more students are performing at higher levels," state schools Superintendent Kathy Cox said.
Since 2005, the state has been implementing a series of new curricula, called the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS), in the core areas of mathematics, English/language arts, social studies and science. As each curriculum is phased in, the test is being revised to better match the curriculum.
The science and English/language arts tests were aligned to the GPS for the first time in 2008 and social studies this year. Next year, students will transition to a new mathematics exam.
The states should release test results from individual high schools early next month.