Events
2010 Education Panel Discussion
How Education / Business Partnerships Improve Georgia Schools
March 19, 2010 - 7:30 AM to 9:45 AM
Sponsored By:
Georgia Pacific
GE Energy
North Highland
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Special Commentary - The CRCT test scores
May 29, 2008
The recent CRCT scores in both social studies and math are areas for concern, but for differing
reasons.
The very high failure rate for 6th and 7th grade social studies (70 – 80 percent) indicates
one or more of several possibilities:
1. Are there issues with the recently introduced curriculum and standards?
2. Are the new tests properly aligned with the new curriculum?
3. Was the training our teachers received on the new curriculum lacking in
some areas?
There may be other factors involved with the social studies results and it is incumbent upon
the Department of Education to thoroughly review all these areas. It appears that they have
already undertaken that task.
The failure rate of 40% on the 8th grade math test, while less surprising, is also a
concern. When there is a change to the curriculum and related test it can generally be
expected to see a drop in performance. When the 3rd grade reading test changed in 2006 there
was about a 10 point drop. While a drop was anticipated for math, the drop was higher than
most probably expected. However, the current performance level for 8th grade math is more in
line with national tests such as the National Assessment of Educational Progress which has been
much lower over the past several years than our CRCT scores. Our new math curriculum appears
to be more rigorous and the tests appear to be more aligned to that curriculum. The area of
concern is the question about the level of support and training for teachers across Georgia.
Over the past several years our state has put into place many of the puzzle pieces needed to
provide a first-class education. Graduation rates and student achievement numbers have started to
come up in many areas so there is reason for hope.
By closely looking at these most recent test results, we can strengthen our processes and
expect progressively greater outcomes in the future. Reason for concern, no doubt; time to panic,
absolutely not.
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