For the fourth consecutive year, Cherokee County School District students exceeded State averages on the Georgia Milestones End-of-Grade and End-of-Course tests!  CCSD has exceeded State averages every year since the tests that measure mastery of Georgia Performance Standards began.

“We are focused on increasing students’ mastery of the knowledge and skills they will need to succeed in college, career and life,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said.  “These Milestones results show our students and teachers are consistently and successfully getting the job done.  I’m so proud of them, their families and our partners and volunteers -- we’re in this together with the same goal: making our community’s future the best it can be.”     

Students in Grades 3-8 take Milestones End-of-Grade (EOG) exams every spring in select core subjects; high school students in specific courses take Milestones End-of-Course (EOC) exams (eighth-graders enrolled in the classes for high school credit also take these exams).  Parents will receive scores for their children in August. 

Although differing groups of students affect year-to-year change within a grade level, CCSD’s performance improved overall.  The results will be closely reviewed at the District and school level to make improvements in overall practices and at the classroom level to help each individual student.  Results show the percentages of students classified as Beginning, Developing, Proficient or Distinguished Learners; these percentages also include English Language Learners and students who receive Special Education services.  

For third-grade, the percentage of CCSD students achieving Developing to Distinguished scores was: 90% for Math (as compared to 83% for Georgia) and 76% for English Language Arts (67% Georgia). 

For fifth-grade, the percentage of CCSD students achieving Developing to Distinguished scores was: 85% for Math (75% Georgia), 84% for English Language Arts (76% Georgia), 79% for Science (70% Georgia) and 84% for Social Studies (76% Georgia). 

For eighth-grade, the percentage of CCSD students achieving Developing to Distinguished scores was: 87% for Math (79% Georgia), 87% for English Language Arts (79% Georgia), 78% for Science (68% Georgia) and 84% for Social Studies (77% Georgia) -- these totals include eighth-graders in high school credit classes with EOC exams.

For high school credit courses, the percentage of CCSD students achieving Developing to Distinguished scores was: 88% for 9th Grade Literature and Composition (84% Georgia), 89% for American Literature and Composition (81% for Georgia), 84% for Algebra I (71% Georgia), 83% for Geometry (74% Georgia), 86% for Biology (70% Georgia), 83% for Physical Science (67% Georgia), 87% for U.S. History (75% Georgia) and 89% for Economics (72%Georgia).  

Dr. Hightower said he’s very pleased with increasing levels in students earning the top Distinguished learner status in Algebra I, Biology, Physical Science and U.S History, and CCSD’s climb in national rankings.  

“These results put CCSD high school students in the top 15% in the Nation for Algebra I mastery, the top 20% for Geometry and Biology, and the top 25% for Physical Science… which is great movement in the right direction,” Dr. Hightower said.  “We’re committed to seeing our students’ performance in the top 10%.  The recent investments our School Board has made in curriculum and instruction resources and support staff, and the commitment our teachers have made to improving their skills, will get us there.”