About Lake Oconee news. (Greensboro, GA) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (July 28, 2017)
Friday, July 28,2017 Lake Oconee News Page A3 Selected Georgia Milestones Assessment Statistics Percent (rounded) of students in the top 2 of 4 scoring levels Source Georgia Department of Education English Math Science Social Studies English Math Science Social Studies 3 GA AVG. 36 42 No Test Given in 2017 6 GA AVG. 40 38 No Test Given in 2017 UPSA 43 50 UPSA 12 12 GES 15 39 CMS 14 14 LOA 67 82 LOA 65 54 PUTNAM 30 43 PUTNAM 39 38 MORGAN 43 49 MORGAN 46 31 4 GA AVG. 41 44 No Test Given in 2017 7 GA AVG. 36 41 No Test Given in 2017 UPSA 34 34 UPSA 26 35 GES 13 22 CMS 21 18 LOA 78 91 LOA 62 62 PUTNAM 28 32 PUTNAM 36 42 MORGAN 50 55 MORGAN 48 47 5 GA AVG. 38 37 40 29 8 GA AVG. 43 41 38 39 UPSA 10 25 38 8 UPSA 13 22 13 22 GES 19 19 3 11 CMS 17 10 17 6 LOA 60 57 68 63 LOA 75 71 62 71 PUTNAM 31 32 41 33 PUTNAM 33 38 25 33 MORGAN 52 48 49 46 MORGAN 54 44 18 52 Schools Continued from A1 Back to those 91 students at GCHS. Despite the obvious progress made in the American Literature test, the numbers reveal that only 33 percent of the students actually passed the test. That tripled last year’s low score of 10 percent. The statewide average this year was 49 percent. The Milestones divide scores into four levels - (1) Beginning Learners, (2) Developing Learners, (3) Proficient Learners and (4) Distinguished Learners. Students who score in the top two levels (3 and 4) at the end of the school year are considered to have learned what they were expected to learn at that grade level. We picked third grade classes to show just a few examples of bright spots or positive trends in Greene County: At Union Point STEAM Academy (UPSA) the third grade had a higher percent age of students in levels 3 and 4 than the state average on both the English and math tests. At Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) 82 percent of the third-graders scored in levels 3 and 4 in math, easily beating the state average of 42 percent. Once you get all the right pieces in w w place. You should stay the course even if you don’t see immediate results. Now we’re seeing the results and it’d be suicide to not support it. J J - Superintendent Chris Houston The third grade at Greensboro Elementary (GES) almost doubled its performance in math from last year with 39 percent reaching the top two levels, up from 21 percent in 2016. But other numbers show that 44 percent of those same third-graders at GES tested into the lowest level on the English exam. Greene County school superintendent Dr. Chris Houston told the Lake Oconee News Monday that at Greensboro Elementary, 32 percent of the third- and fifth-graders who scored in the lowest level are being retained. By the Lake Oconee News’ count, that’s about 20 children. “[The Greene County School System is] creating individual student learning plans for remediation...,” Houston said. “If they’re retained but we can get the student to the right point, we might even get them caught up into their grade level. Research shows that if you retain a person one year, they’re likely not going to graduate for two years. If you retain them two years, they’re almost guaranteed not to [graduate].” As expected, Lake Oconee Academy scored better on the Milestones than any other school in Greene County. ‘We are extremely proud of the achievement of our students and faculty again this year,” CEO Dr. Otho Tucker said in a printed statement Monday. He in dicated that LOA ranked higher than the statewide average in every level. Quite a success story but, put into perspective, 37 percent of all Georgia students taking the fifth grade math test scored in the top two levels. At LOA, it was 57 percent but, ac cording to a study by the Atlanta Journal-Constitu tion, 185 schools in Georgia did better than LOA. Union Point STEAM Academy saw some major improvements over last year’s scores. In many cases, the percentage of students in the top two levels doubled from last year. However, overall per formance was at a much lower level than LOA. That was especially evident in the fifth grade social studies exams where only 8.3 percent of the students tested into the top two levels. Earlier this month, the board of UPSA voted to not apply for a new charter after this school year and to seek a merger with LOA. Low scores were given as one of the reasons for the move. In Greene County, teachers and administra Georgia Milestone Assessment Scoring Levels Georgia Department of Education Beginning Learners do not yet demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified in Georgia's content standards. The students need substantial academic support to be prepared for the next grade level or course and to be on track for college and career readiness. Developing Learners demonstrate partial proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified in Georgia's content standards. The students need additional academic support to ensure success in the next grade level or course and to be on track for college and career readiness. Proficient Learners demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/ course of learning, as specified in Georgia's content standards. The students are prepared for the next grade level or course and are on track for college and career readiness. Distinguished Learners demonstrate advanced proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified in Georgia's content standards. The students are well prepared for the next grade level or course and are well prepared for college and career readiness. tors at all schools work tirelessly, trying to teach children in a county with a 25 percent poverty level, in a state that ranks 37th in education according to US News & World Report. Houston says finding and keeping good teachers and administrators is key. A new principal will be taking over at Carson Middle School this year. Other school principals and teachers, as well as Houston, himself, were new in the district last year. “We have recruited solid principals,” he said, “who have recruited and/or retained teachers who are moving the needle.” Also, Houston has imple mented “benchmarking,” which is testing through out the year, and he wants to build a culture of confi dence at the school. Add to that a major push next week by the Greene County Board of Educa tion to start developing a new strategic plan for the schools. Houston says although scores in the school district are not at levels he’s happy with, he likes the trend he sees in this year’s Mile stones. “The scores at Union Point and the high school indicate substantial steps in the right direction,” he said, “and Greensboro Ele mentary showed progress in math. The students, staff, teachers, parents and principals are to be com mended.” “Once you get all the right pieces in place,” Houston adds, “you should stay the course even if you don’t see immediate results. Now we’re seeing the results and it’d be suicide to not support it. Hearing Continued from A1 Union Point STEAM Academy (UPSA) but not Lake Oconee Academy (LOA). LOA says it will educate 890 students this year. The district schools will have 296 employees, in cluding 128 instructors, and teacher’s salaries are the largest item in the proposed budget at $12,292,015. Ware told the man in the audience that it costs the county about $10,400 to educate each child in the system. The state helps by paying $2,400 to $2,500 per student to the county. But, because Greene County is considered the wealthiest county in Georgia, according to Ware, it does not receive so-called “equalization money” from the state. That’s designed to help poorer counties and the top 50 wealthiest counties do not see any of that cash. The proposed budget includes $31,011,066 for the General Fund and $4,014,998 for special revenue items. Additional ly, $3,855,604 is budgeted for capital improvements to facilities and $2,401,897 is needed to pay on existing loans. If you want to view the entire 87-page budget, it’s available on the BOE website (www.greene.kl2. ga.us) Good news! If you have any questions before the Board of Education votes on the budget at their Aug. 14 meeting, the second of two public hearings will be held Thursday, Aug. 3 at the Greene County Board of Education meeting room, 101 East Third Street, Greensboro. It starts at 5 p.m. Don’t be late. 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