The Georgia Milestones math scores for the 2023-24 school year show that the state and districts across metro Atlanta experienced moderate gains from last year. Atlanta Public Schools (APS) students grew 2.9 points compared to Georgia’s overall growth of 3 points. Clayton County students grew by 3.3 points, and Cobb County students grew by 4.
Similarly, ELA scores for the 2023-24 school year show improvement statewide. Atlanta Public Schools ELA proficiency increased “only” by 2.2 percentage points, and Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, and Fulton school districts also had similar gains.
It’s important to note that nearly all school districts are struggling to achieve pre-pandemic proficiency rates.
Bright Spots
Several schools in APS have measured up in mathematics.
Atlanta Public Schools that have seen a year-over-year increase in math proficiency from 2019 to 2023 include:
APS middle schools where 75% or more students scored proficient or above in algebra:
“Our students’ performance is trending upward, an indicator that we are implementing the appropriate instructional strategies to improve student achievement,” said APS Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson in a press release on Sept. 30, 2024. “This is promising, but we have a lot more work to do. Our gains can be sustained with concentrated efforts and instructional practices that place a laser-like focus on specific areas of weakness. We are committed to this work.” redefinED atlanta stands ready to provide its support in advancing equity and student-centered outcomes in partnership with Dr. Johnson and other metro districts.
Cobb County schools that have seen a year-over-year increase in math proficiency from 2019 to 2023 include:
Cobb County middle schools where 75% or more students scored proficient or above in algebra were:
In Clayton County, Elite Scholars Academy Middle School was the only school in the district where 75% or more of the students scored proficient or above in algebra.
Clayton County schools that have seen a year-over-year increase in math proficiency from 2019 to 2023 include:
What does the national data reveal?
Nationwide, math scores for 13-year-olds fell nine points between 2019 and 2022 as COVID led to the largest drop in half a century. We have started seeing improvements, but researchers still estimate that students would need nine or more additional months of schooling to recover fully.
The implications are significant. Projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimate STEM occupations will grow by 10.8% by 2032, more than four times faster than non-STEM occupations. Math is also a notoriously difficult subject to recover from learning loss because concepts build on each other. Students aiming for STEM careers need to master math concepts by eighth grade, or they will struggle.
The 2023-24 Georgia Milestones math results highlight a mixed growth landscape among metro Atlanta schools. The data underscores both the challenges and the potential for improvement. The bright spots within Atlanta Public Schools, Cobb County, and Clayton County indicate that significant gains can be made with focused instructional strategies and a commitment to academic excellence.
In 2020, we released a report in partnership with Learn4Life titled “Quantifying the Impact of School Closures on Metro Atlanta Student Proficiency.”
Today, the sobering reality of ongoing learning loss emphasizes the urgency for districts to prioritize effective teaching methods and targeted interventions, particularly in math, where foundational skills are crucial for future success for students.
As we look ahead, educators, administrators, and the community must work collaboratively to ensure that all children not only recover from the pandemic’s setbacks but thrive as they prepare for a rapidly evolving world. Our students deserve every opportunity to excel and build a brighter future.
Join our growing collective of parents, educators, community leaders, and philanthropists invested in Atlanta public school education. Together, we will transform this city into a place where every student in every community has access to a great K-12 public education.
Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use