July 17, 2014

NCSS Releases 2013-2014 End-of-Course Test Results

Course NCSS FY 13 Percent

Meeting or Exceeding NCSS FY 14 Percent

Meeting or Exceeding State’s Percent

Meeting or Exceeding

9th Grade Literature 86 90 88

American Literature * Too Few Students 94 93

Coordinate Algebra 19 29 40

Analytic Geometry ** Test not Administered in FY 13 30 35

Biology 72 76 75

Physical Science 88 88 85

US History 78 81 73

Economics 89 90 81

Newton County School System Rate of Improvement: 5/6 comparable courses or 83%

*Due to the changing of the sequence of American Literature, only a few students took the EOCT. ** Analytic Geometry is a new state course to which no comparison can be made.

Newton County School System (NCSS) high school students showed positive results on their End-of-Course Tests during the 2014-2015 school year. Students not only posted improved pass rates in five of six tests but also outpaced the state pass rate on all but two tests. Although NCSS high school students participated in a total of eight End-of- Course Tests (EOCTs) in 2013-2014, only results from six of this year’s tests can be compared to last year’s results. Not enough students took the American Literature test in the spring of 2013 so a comparison cannot be made this year, and the Analytic Geometry test was not administered last year so no comparison is available for that test either.

According to the data provided by the Georgia Department of Education, NCSS students showed an 83 percent rate of improvement on EOCTs this year. NCSS students posted increased pass rates in Ninth Grade Literature, Coordinate Algebra, Biology, U.S. History, and Economics and matched their previous pass rate in Physical Science. In fact, the 2013-2014 NCSS test takers also bested the state of Georgia’s pass rate on all of the EOCTs but Coordinate Algebra and Analytic Geometry. “I am pleased with the growth our students have shown this year,” said Samantha Fuhrey, Superintendent of Newton County Schools. “Our high school teachers, leaders and staff have focused their work, and our students have responded by continuing to post improved scores.” She added, “Our high school team and students are to be commended for their tenacity and concentrated efforts. Our families and community can be proud of our improvements as they demonstrate our continued commitment to our non-negotiable goals of ‘more effective teaching and increased student achievement.’ It’s important to note, that we are not satisfied with these results as it’s our mission to provide ‘educational excellence for all students.’ We’re not yet there---

but we are on the way! We will continue to strategize, engage our parents and community, and work diligently to improve our student outcomes. Finally, the ‘exceeds the standard’ category has increased as well. Not only are more students ‘meeting the standard’ in high school, but more are also ‘exceeding the standard.’ The exceeds data becomes important given the new (and more rigorous) Georgia Milestones assessments that will be administered in the Spring of 2015.” According to the Georgia Department of Education, any student enrolled in and/or receiving credit

for an EOCT course, regardless of grade level, is required to take the EOCT upon completion of

that course. The EOCT align with Georgia's state mandated content standards and include

assessment of specific content knowledge and skills. The assessments provide diagnostic

information to help students identify strengths and areas of need in learning, therefore improving

performance in all high school courses. The EOCT also provide data to evaluate the effectiveness

of classroom instruction at the school, system and state levels. In 2011 – 2012, the EOCT became

Georgia’s high school accountability assessment as part of the College and Career Ready

Performance Index (CCRPI).

For any student taking a course subject with a required EOCT, the student’s final grade in the

course is calculated using the EOCT as follows (State Board Rule 160-4-2-.13): For students

enrolled in grade nine for the first time before July 1, 2011, the EOCT counts as 15% of the final

grade. For students enrolled in grade nine for the first time on July 1, 2011 or after, the EOCT

counts as 20% of the final grade.

Per the Georgia Department of Education, Newton County Schools expects to receive school

EOCT data later this month. Anyone with questions regarding available EOCT data may contact

NCSS Director of Testing, Dr. Allison Jordan at jordan.allison@newton.k12.ga.us.

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