July 2, 2014 – Students improved performance on six out of the eight 2014 End-of-Course Tests (EOCT) compared to last year, according to data released today by the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE). One test (U.S. History) saw no change from last year and another EOCT (Analytic Geometry) was new this year.

One-year increases were seen in the percentage of students meeting or exceeding the standards in Coordinate Algebra, Economics, Biology, Physical Science, Ninth Grade Literature and Composition, and American Literature and Composition.

“Students and teachers are getting more and more comfortable with our standards and the results are showing it,” said State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge. “The comparable End-of-Course Tests demonstrate a positive trend. When results on almost all comparable tests increase then we should be encouraged. However, we do know that the more demanding expectations on our new tests could bring similar results to what we’ve seen the last two years in math.”

On the new Analytic Geometry EOCT, 35 percent of students met or exceeded the standard this year. That number is expected to increase next year, just as the Coordinate Algebra EOCT increased from last year to this year (+3 percentage points).

“The Analytic Geometry and Coordinate Algebra results give us another look at the new level of increased expectation for student achievement that is coming with Georgia Milestones. The expectations to meet standards are significantly increasing so we have a new and more realistic baseline of student performance,” said Superintendent Barge. “While these results seem low and different from what we are used to seeing, they are in line with what many national assessments say Georgia’s students’ college and career readiness level is. We must address this head-on so our students leave our schools with the best preparation possible to succeed in life after high school.”

Summary of 2014 EOCT results:

· Eighty-eight (88%) percent of Georgia’s students met or exceeded the standard for Ninth Grade Literature & Composition. This is an increase of two (2) percentage points when compared to spring 2013.

· Ninety-three (93%) percent of Georgia’s students met or exceeded the standard for American Literature & Composition. This is an increase of two (2) percentage points when compared to spring 2013.

· Forty (40%) percent of Georgia’s students met or exceeded the standard for Coordinate Algebra. This is an increase of three (3) percentage points when compared to spring 2013.

· Thirty-five (35%) percent of Georgia’s students met or exceeded the standard for Analytic Geometry. The Winter 2013 EOCT was the first administration for Analytic Geometry.

· Seventy-five (75%) percent of Georgia’s students met or exceeded the standard for Biology. This is an increase of one (1) percentage point when compared to spring 2013.

· Eighty-five (85%) percent of Georgia’s students met or exceeded the standard for Physical Science. This is an increase of two (2) percentage points when compared to spring 2013.

· Seventy-three (73%) percent of Georgia’s students met or exceeded the standard for U.S. History. This represents no change from spring 2013.

· Eighty-one (81%) percent of Georgia’s students met or exceeded the standard for Economics/Business/Free Enterprise. This is an increase of two (2) percentage points when compared to spring 2013.

For students who entered ninth grade for the first time in the 2011-12 school year, the EOCT counts as 20 percent of the student’s final grade, an increase from the previous 15 percent level.

Students took the EOCTs for the last time this year. Beginning next year, all students in grades 3-12 will take the Georgia Milestones. The new testing system is one consistent program across grades 3-12, rather than a series of individual tests. It will include open-ended questions in English language arts and math to better gauge students’ content mastery and, with some exceptions for special education students with specific testing accommodations, will be administered entirely online by the fifth year of implementation.

Georgia Milestones will be aligned to the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards (CCGPS) in English language arts and mathematics and Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) in science and social studies.

More Information

- EOCT Score Details

- EOCT Website

- EOCT Performance-level Comparisons

- Georgia Milestones