(Media release from the Rome, GA City Schools):
Literacy For Life Before Life is one of Rome City Schools district initiatives, and the work in literacy is showing promising results in Georgia Milestone Assessment test scores released by the Georgia Department of Education for the school year 2023-24 last week.
Through this initiative, the school system has introduced academic coaches into all schools and used strong support and training from the central office to help teachers. The system also rolled out the Literacy Compass last spring putting a major focus on literacy within the district and providing a roadmap to helping increase literacy throughout all of our schools.
The system adopted the CKLA curriculum last spring in an effort to help improve literacy and reading in all students. The system also embarked on vision walks in every school to see the innovative ways our teachers are educating students. This entire plan is part of Rome City Schools’ strategic growth process.
“We are proud of the hard work and dedication our students and teachers have shown. Our goal is growth and we can definitely see growth in some of these numbers,” Rome City Schools Superintendent Dr. Eric L. Holland said. “We strive to do our best every day, and I know we will continue to do that.”
According to the test data, Rome City Schools students showed increased proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA), social studies, and science.
Rome City Schools saw several grade levels increase scores in ELA when based on cohort data. Cohort data compares how students scored in the previous grade. Fifth-grade students increased their scores in both ELA and science from the previous year.
The ELA scores increased by more than 10 percent. Eighth graders improved their scores in ELA and science as well. Eighth-grade students increased their ELA scores by more than nine percent over the previous year.
While third grade doesn’t have cohort data, third-grade students improved their scores by six percent in ELA compared to last year’s third graders.
Across the district, the percentage of students scoring proficient and above increased by 1.5 percent. Rome City Schools also saw a 4.5 percent increase in the students who achieved typical/high growth in ELA.
Rome City Schools did show some areas where some growth is needed. The system remained at the same percentage for all science and U.S. History scores that were proficient and above.
The percentage of students scoring in or above the suggested Lexile stretch band decreased slightly.
Across the state, Georgia students showed continued improvement on the 2023-24 Georgia Milestones assessments – scores increased or held steady on 10 of 13 assessments in ELA, science, and social studies.
Because math assessments were updated to align with the new K-12 Mathematics Standards first implemented during the 2023-24 school year, math Georgia Milestones scores will be available for release later this fall.
“I am proud of Georgia’s students and educators for their continued hard work which has led to consistent improvements in student performance over the last several years,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “As a state, we have invested in academic recovery and the support districts need to get all students on track for successful futures. There is certainly still work to be done, but I am confident we are on the right path.”
Students take Georgia Milestones End of Grade (EOG) tests in grades 3-8, and Georgia Milestones End of Course (EOC) tests in identified high school courses. The Georgia Milestones Assessment System meets the federal requirement that the states test students in math and ELA in grades 3-8, once in high school, and in science once per grade band (3-5, 6-9, 10-12).
Georgia Milestones assesses student learning along four levels of achievement: Beginning Learners, Developing Learners, Proficient Learners, and Distinguished Learners.
