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Percentage of students passing Georgia High School Writing Test increases

State-Level Results:GHSWT_Fall14_State.xlsxGHSWT_Fall14_State.xlsx

School-Level Results:GHSWT_Fall14_School.xlsxGHSWT_Fall14_School.xlsx

District-Level Results:GHSWT_Fall14_System.xlsxGHSWT_Fall14_System.xlsx

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Matt Cardoza, GaDOE Communications Office, (404) 651-7358, mcardoza@gadoe.org or Meghan Frick, GaDOE Communications Office, (404) 656-5594, mfrick@doe.k12.ga.us

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November 25, 2014 – The percentage of 11th grade first-time test takers meeting or exceeding the standard on the Georgia High School Writing Test (GHSWT) increased in 2014, rising from 94 percent in 2013 to 96 percent this year.

 

Additionally, each subgroup whose performance was measured – Asian, black, Hispanic, and white students, along with special-education students and English learners – saw an increase in the percentage of students meeting or exceeding the standards.

 

“Strong writing skills are needed to be able to communicate effectively in all professions, no matter where our students go in life, State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge said. “It’s very encouraging to see the achievement gap closing and writing proficiency on the rise.

 

This year marked the last full administration of the GHSWT. In the future, students’ writing will be assessed through the Georgia Milestones Assessment System.

 

“As we transition to a new assessment system, students will still be required to show their writing proficiency, but they will participate in one comprehensive testing program, rather than a series of individual tests,” Dr. Barge said.

 

Highlights from the 2014 GHSWT Results:

·         96 percent of all grade 11 first-time test takers met or exceeded the standard, a two percentage point increase over 2013, and a five percentage point increase since 2009

·         79 percent of special education grade 11 first-time test takers met or exceeded the standard, a nine percentage point increase over 2013, and an 18 percentage point increase since 2009

·         71 percent of English learner grade 11 first-time test takers met or exceeded the standard, an 11 percentage point increase over 2013, and a five percentage point increase since 2009

·         95 percent of all students who tested (first-time test takers and those students retesting) met or exceeded the standard, a three percentage point increase over 2013, and a six percentage point increase since 2009

·         95 percent of Asian students who tested (first-time test takers and those students retesting) met or exceeded the standard, a one percentage point increase over 2013, and a three percentage point increase since 2009

·         93 percent of black students who tested (first-time test takers and those students retesting) met or exceeded the standard, a five percentage point increase over 2013, and an eight percentage point increase since 2009

·         94 percent of Hispanic students who tested (first-time test takers and those students retesting) met or exceeded the standard, a four percentage point increase over 2013, and an eight percentage point increase since 2009

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