According to a recent release from the Georgia Department of Education, the Muscogee County School District has increased its percentage of students identified as Proficient and Distinguished Learners in 50% (12 out of 24) of the content areas assessed by the 2018 Georgia Milestones End of Grade and End of Course tests. MCSD also decreased its numbers of students identified as Beginning Learners in 50% of those areas and outperformed the other Tier II Districts in 18 out of 24 assessed areas.

“While I am pleased with the results overall, some are not in keeping with our District expectations for student achievement. Our longitudinal trend data indicates we are closing the performance gaps with the State at the secondary level in many areas, but it also suggests that many students are entering school with greater baseline deficits, particularly those from socio-economically disadvantaged areas within our community. Despite schools achieving academic growth that is commensurate with a year’s worth of schooling or more, significant entry-level deficits slow progress toward proficiency,” said Dr. David Lewis, Superintendent, Muscogee County School District.

Research indicates one of the single greatest factors in promoting school readiness and success is increased access to high-quality early childhood education for students prior to entering school.

“Therefore, we are making several strategic adjustments for the coming year to facilitate ways we can address this critical issue,” said Lewis.

The adjustments include:

Expanding and relocating District Pre-K programs to schools in areas where incoming deficits are prominent. The District realized a demonstrated need for additional Pre-K sites during the 2017-18 school year. Sites were expanded from nine to fifteen centers, leading to a 67% growth in Pre-K enrollment to date.

Redesigned professional development and support for teachers at the elementary level.

Ensuring smaller class sizes in the primary grades.

Proposing an intensive literacy intervention program. The program was introduced to the Board during the June work session.

Intensifying District system of progress monitoring. The Superintendent and Cabinet has conducted meetings, using live conference technology throughout the year, with school administrators to address specific needs within the School Improvement Plans.

Continuing work with community and after-school partners, the Get Georgia Reading Campaign, and the Columbus 2025’s Talented and the Educated People Birth to Age Four Sub-Committee.
 
Georgia Milestones EOG and EOC tests report student learning with 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 are well prepared for college and career readiness.

Georgia Milestones Assessment System (GMAS) End-of-Grade Assessment Highlights
 
·         MCSD increased or maintained the number of Proficient and Distinguished Learners in 12 of 16 (75.0%) areas on the End-of-Grade (EOG) assessment.

·         MCSD decreased or maintained the number of Beginning Learners in 12 of 16 (75.0%) areas on the End-of-Grade assessment.

·         MCSD increased or maintained the number of Proficient and Distinguished Learners in 4 of 6 (66.7%) of grade levels in English Language Arts.

·         MCSD increased or maintained the number of Proficient and Distinguished Learners in 6 of 6 (100.0%) of grade levels in Mathematics.

·         MCSD increased the number of Proficient and Distinguished Learners in both 5th and 8th grade Science which represents 100% of grade levels assessed for Science.

·         MCSD increased the number of Proficient and Distinguished Learners in both 5th and 8th Social Studies which represents 100% of grade levels assessed Social Studies.

GMAS End-of-Course (EOC) Assessment Highlights
 
·         MCSD increased or maintained the number of Proficient and Distinguished Learners in 6 of 8 (75.0%) areas.

·         MCSD decreased the number of Beginning Learners in 4 of 8 (50.0%) areas.

·         MCSD increased the number of Proficient and Distinguished Learners in 1 of 2 (50.0%) of courses in English Language Arts.

·         MCSD increased the number of Proficient and Distinguished Learners in 1 of 2 (50.0%) of courses in Math.

·         MCSD increased or maintained the number of Proficient and Distinguished Learners in 2 of 2 (100.0%) of courses in Science.

·         MCSD increased or maintained the number of Proficient and Distinguished Learners in 2 of 2 (100%) of courses in Social Studies.