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The Georgia Milestones Assessment System (Georgia Milestones) is a comprehensive summative assessment program spanning grades 3 through high school. Georgia Milestones measures how well students have learned the knowledge and skills outlined in the state-adopted content standards in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Students in grades 3 through 8 will take an end-of-grade assessment in each content area, while high school students will take an end-of-course assessment for each of the eight courses designated by the State Board of Education.
Features the Georgia Milestone Assessment System include:
open-ended (constructed-response) items in language arts and mathematics (all grades and courses);
a writing component (in response to passages read by students) at every grade level and course within the language arts assessment;
norm-referenced items in all content areas and courses, to complement the criterion-referenced information and to provide a national comparison; and
transition to online administration over time, with online administration considered the primary mode of administration and paper-pencil as back-up until the transition is complete.
Sources: Georgia Department of Education
Georgia Milestones Content Areas
What content areas and grade levels are tested?
Students in grades 3 through 8 will take an end-of-grade assessment in the content areas of language arts, mathematics, science, social studies. These tests are administered towards the end of the school year, typically in April or early May. Each school district selects a local testing window from within the state designated timeframe to administer the end-of-grade measures.
Students at the high school level will take an end-of-course assessment in the following eight courses:
Language Arts
Ninth Grade Literature and Composition
American Literature and Composition
Mathematics
Coordinate Algebra
Analytic Geometry
Science
Physical Science
Biology
Social Studies
United States History
Economics/Business/Free Enterprise
Middle school students who are enrolled in one or more of these courses will also take the end-of-course measure. The end-of-course measures are administered at the completion of the course, regardless of the grade level. These measures serve as the final exam for the course, and contribute 30% to the students final course grade. Each school district selects a local testing window, based on their local school calendar, from within the state-designated testing window.
What is the purpose of Georgia Milestones?
The Georgia Milestones Assessment System is designed to provide information about how well students are mastering the state-adopted content standards in the core content areas of language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Importantly, Georgia Milestones is designed to provide students with critical information about their own achievement and their readiness for their next level of learningbe it the next grade, the next course, or endeavor (college or career). Informing parents, educators, and the public about how well students are learning important content is an essential aspect of any educational assessment and accountability system. Parents, the public, and policy makers, including local school districts and boards of education, can use the results as a barometer of the quality of educational opportunity provided throughout the state of Georgia. As such, Georgia Milestones serves as a key component of the states accountability systemthe College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI).
How Can I Help My Student?
What can I do to help my student?
Students who are prepared, calm, and rested perform better on tests. Here are some of the many ways to help your student approach Georgia Milestones in a relaxed, positive way:
Encourage your student to employ good study and test-taking skills. These skills include following directions carefully, avoiding careless errors, and reviewing work.
Explain the purpose of the tests. The assessments give students an opportunity to show what they have learned in school. They also give teachers information that helps them plan instruction.
Point out that some items may be more difficult than others.
Be certain your student gets plenty of sleep and has a healthy breakfast and lunch. Taking tests
is hard work for many students and can require a lot of energy.
Be certain your student is at school on time. Rushing and worrying about being late could affect performance on the tests.
Remember to ask your student about the testing at the end of each day,
FAQ's for Georgia Milestones
What types of questions are part of Georgia Milestones Assessments?
Are students with disabilities required to take Georgia Milestones?
What scores do students receive on Georgia Milestones?
Reading the Georgia Milestones Assessment Report
Questions?
Do you have questions about the new Georgia Milestones Assessment?
Click here to view The Parent's Guide to New Tests in Georgia created by the National PTA, click here to read information from the Georgia Department of Education and click here to see sample test questions. These three resources provide lots of helpful information about the new Georgia Milestones Assessment System. If you still have questions, please feel free to contact your child's school. We are always here to help!