The measure of success for students in Georgia is changing.
Historically, Georgia’s assessment system has looked at student achievement based solely on a student’s performance on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCTs) in grades 3-8 and End of Course Tests (EOCTs) or Graduation tests (GHSGTs) in grades 9-12. Performance on these assessments has enabled stakeholders to answer questions such as “What percentage of students met the state standard?” Or, “Did more students meet the state standard this year compared to last year?”
Accountability in the State of Georgia has made several shifts in the manner in which districts, schools, teachers, and students are assessed to determine overall academic progress. Academic achievement will continue to be a factor – defined by a score on the test. The individual score indicates whether a student did not meet, met, or exceeded standards for the grade level or course. Parents will continue to receive annual reports that provide detailed information about achievement on each content area assessed. In addition to achievement, an additional report will be provided to parents that provides a student growth percentile (SGP). The SGP describes how much a student grew relative to academically similar students across the state of Georgia. All students, regardless of achievement level, have the opportunity to demonstrate all levels of growth.
The Georgia Student Growth Model (GSGM) is designed to provide students, parents, educators, and the public with additional information on student progress. It is designed to provide student-level diagnostic information that can be used to improve teaching and learning. The GSGM informs growth-related questions such as:
Did this student grow more or less than academically-similar students?
Are students growing as much in math as in reading?
Are students on track to reach or exceed proficiency?
Decatur County School System will be sending home individual GSGM reports with students in grades 5 – 12 the first week of March.  These reports will provide information on student academic progress for the 2012-2013 school year.  In an effort to help all stakeholders understand how the GSGM relates to overall student and school success, the Georgia Department of Education has provided resources that may be accessed at gsgm.gadoe.org.  Sample CRCT and EOCT student growth reports and a video are available to assist stakeholders with interpreting these reports. Decatur County will also be providing informational sessions where more in depth information and conversation may occur about the GSGM at the following times:
March 6 – 6:00-6:45 p.m. – District Parent Resource Center at 507 Martin Street, March 10 – 8:30-9:15 a.m. – Bainbridge High School, March 20 – 5:00-5:45 p.m. – District Parent Resource Center at 507 Martin Street.
The Georgia Student Growth Model (GSGM) Report provides new information about student and school progress that can be used in the continuous school improvement process. The GSGM works in conjunction with other Georgia education initiatives such as the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) and also serves as one of multiple indicators of educator effectiveness with the Teacher Keys Effectiveness System (TKES) and the Leader Keys Effectiveness System (LKES). To learn more about the Georgia Student Growth Model, make plans to join our team of educators at one of the scheduled information sessions.