DeKalb County students show higher levels of achievement on the latest Georgia Milestones exam results
The DeKalb County School District’s (DCSD) students demonstrated noteworthy progress in academic proficiency based on the latest Georgia Milestones End-of-Grade (EOG) and End-of-Course (EOC) test results released today.
DCSD students met or exceeded prior year performance in several categories and at different levels in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.
“Today’s test scores prove that education in DeKalb County School District continues to improve and soar to new levels of achievement,” said Superintendent/CEO Dr. R. Stephen Green. “Each statistic represents immeasurable efforts made on behalf of our students. They represent hours of rigorous study and execution by our students. They represent nights spent in the classroom after the school day ends by our teachers. They represent months of planning and follow through from district administrators. Today, we take time to thank them all, and congratulate them all, on a job well done.”
- Many schools saw double digit growth in the percentage of students scoring Proficient and Distinguished Learner in at least one content area; eighty-four (84) elementary and middle schools on the EOG and twenty-four (24) middle and high schools on the EOC.
- The average scale scores for the Ninth Grade Literature and United States History EOC exams increased by 8 points and Physical Science increased by 4 points leading to significant increases in students scoring Proficient and Distinguished Learner, Ninth Grade Literature by 5.6%, United States History by 4.7%, and Physical Science by 5.1%.
- Across the district, all EOG-tested grades (3-8) showed average scale score increases in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.
- The percentage of students scoring in the Distinguished Learner category – the state’s highest performance category – in the English Language Arts EOG increased for every grade.
- From 2017-2019, the district-wide percentage of 8th grade students scoring Proficient and above increased in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science.
- On average, 63% of students scored within or above their grade minimum Lexile level (a scale for measuring the reading ability of students), an increase from 60% the previous school year.
A number of schools exhibited at least 80% of their students scoring proficient and above in at least one content area:
EOG:
- Ashford Park Elementary School
- Austin Elementary School
- Chamblee Middle School
- DeKalb Elementary School of the Arts
- DeKalb School of the Arts
- Dunwoody Elementary School
- Globe Academy Charter
- Kittredge Magnet School
- Oak Grove Elementary School
- Vanderlyn Elementary School
- Wadsworth Magnet School
EOC
- Chamblee Middle School
- Chamblee Charter High School
- Chapel Hill Middle School
- DeKalb Early College Academy
- DeKalb Path Academy
- DeKalb School of the Arts
- Druid Hills Middle School
- Globe Academy
- Henderson Middle School
- Museum School
- Peachtree Middle School
- Redan Middle School
- Sequoyah Middle School
- The Champion Theme School
The following accomplishments were demonstrated by the thirteen (13) DCSD schools identified by the state as Turnaround Eligible Schools.
Three (3) elementary schools saw growth on average scale scores across all eight (8) assessments (100%):
- Eldridge L. Miller Elementary School
- Murphey Candler Elementary School
- Stoneview Elementary School
Seven (7) schools decreased the percentage of students scoring Beginning Learner on at least six (6) of the eight (8) assessments:
- Eldridge L. Miller Elementary School
- Lithonia Middle School
- McNair Middle School
- Murphey Candler Elementary School
- Peachcrest Elementary School
- Redan Elementary School
- Stoneview Elementary School
Eight (8) schools demonstrated double digit increases in the percentage of students scoring Proficient and Distinguished Learner on at least one assessment:
- Eldridge L. Miller Elementary School
- Fairington Elementary
- Murphey Candler Elementary
- Panola Way Elementary
- Snapfinger Elementary
- Stone Mountain Elementary
- Stoneview Elementary
- Toney Elementary
The district will continue to work on various initiatives to improve student outcomes. Some of the work includes:
- Our teacher-created curriculum will remain in place. The curriculum enhances what our students are expected to know and be able to do in an effort to provide students with the level of rigor, relevance, and innovative learning necessary to thrive.
- The Parent and Engagement department has multiple initiatives to assist parents in improving their students’ achievement outcomes. Multiple delivery methods, such as workshops, webinars, training videos, and the Family IMPACT Hub, are used to provide resources to help parents be effective academic supporters. In addition, DCSD assists parents with obtaining their GED, enrolling in higher education or training programs, and training in workforce development, advocacy, leadership, and wrap-around services.
- The DeKalb County School District is committed to supporting the Whole Child. School Counselors, Psychologists, Nurses and Social Workers are on the front line helping to address barriers that impact student achievement utilizing wrap around supports. Postsecondary Transition Specialists, Student Engagement Coaches, and other critical positions help to provide an additional intervention for our students and families to promote student success and high school graduation.
- Human Resources will continue having a laser focus on recruiting, hiring, and retaining highly qualified teachers.