1. HigherLearningAn Education Series
Sponsored By
CTB/McGraw-Hill Education was
awarded $107.8 million for a five-
year contract to develop the new
testing system meant to replace
the existing CRCT and EOCT
tests in order to prepare students
for college, and present a more
realistic picture of academic
progress over time.
Following closely the Common
Core Georgia Performance
Standards, a major benefit of
the testing system is that it is
one consistent testing program
throughout grades 3-12, as
opposed to a series of individual
tests each year.
Although there are high
expectations for growth in
student learning, a new system
means a new start for students.
The initial scores will be lower
than previous years’ CRCT and
EOCT scores, relatively speaking.
However, the scoring will
eventually bring Georgia’s tests
in line with other indicators of
how students are performing and
how prepared they are to enter
college or the workforce.
The new system will include
open-ended questions, in
contrast to the previous multiple-
question format. Special
accommodations will be made for
special education students with
an entirely online system by the
fifth year of implementation.
State School Superintendent
Dr. John Barge wants to ensure
students are able to compete on
a rigorous level instead of a level
of minimum competency.
What You
Should Know
Before the
School Year
Begins
In June, the Georgia Department of
Education announced they would be
implementing the Georgia Milestone
Assessment System during the 2014-2015
academic year.
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