1. Assessment Updates: Georgia Milestones

2. Georgia Milestones IS: Replacing the CRCT (EOG), EOCT, and Writing Assessments A series of tests elementary level through high school Connected to an online study tool- GOFAR (Formerly OAS) Combining multiple choice and written response for all subjects A necessary rigor for our students Going to transition over time to all online testing to include technology-enhanced items beginning in 2016-2017 Measured by achievement and student growth

3. Georgia Students are not scoring as high as we would like among their National Peers. This is a large part of the reasoning behind the added rigor and new growth component.

6. Scoring Your Student: Growth vs. Achievement SGPs describe the amount of growth a student has demonstrated relative to academically-similar students – those with the same achievement history – from across the state. A student’s SGP describes how he or she grew relative to academically-similar students from across the state, not how well he or she attained proficiency on the assessment. Students can demonstrate low or high growth regardless of where they start. A common concern regarding a new assessment, especially one with higher expectations for student proficiency, is that levels of student growth will be lower. Importantly, overall student growth may not necessarily be lower as a result of the assessment transition. Even though students may demonstrate lower proficiency rates overall on this new Georgia Milestones, it is likely they will continue to learn and grow.

7. What will the SGP or GSGM Look like? EPMS High Achievement & Low Growth Lower Achievement & Low Growth Lower Achievement & Higher Growth High Achievement & Higher Growth

8. For more information please see the National PTA Parent Guide to New Tests in Georgia http://www.pta.org/files/Advocacy/CCSSIToolkit/Common%20Core%20 State%20Standards%20Resources/Assessments%20Resouces/PTA_GA_ 6PG_17DEC13_FINAL.pdf