Return to Headlines

HCS Georgia Milestones Results Demonstrate Ongoing Progress, Provide Groundwork for Emphasis on Targeted Improvement in 2024-2025

HENRY COUNTY, GA – Henry County Schools students demonstrated ongoing progress on the Georgia Milestones Assessment System based on state, system, and individual scores for the spring 2024 administration of End-of-Grade (EOG) and End-of-Course (EOC) exams, released by the Georgia Department of Education on July 26.

Districtwide, scores increased in several key performance areas, with notable improvement in English Language Arts (ELA) and multiple fifth-grade tested subjects.

“Reviewing these results allows us to make needed adjustments to enhance student outcomes as we remain committed to continuous improvement throughout the district,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Carl Knowlton. “While there is work to be done, we are encouraged to see outcomes that reflect the strong governance of our board and the tireless work of our staff toward realizing our vision and mission in Henry County Schools.”

Results indicate continued momentum in the district’s aim to ensure a high-quality, world-class education for every student that empowers all students with exceptional outcomes that lead to success in a global society. The scores also lay the groundwork for emphasis on targeted improvement in the upcoming school year.

As HCS prepares to fully launch “Henry Reads,” an initiative aimed at increasing reading proficiency levels across all grades and content areas, gains in ELA, as well as reading, reflect core instructional practices emphasized across the district through early work around literacy.

HCS is poised to further its efforts on student reading proficiency in the coming school year, with an emphasis on structured literacy in the early grades and disciplinary literacy in all grade levels, as well as board investment of $1.5 million in Science of Reading and foundational literacy training.

Additionally, fifth-grade performance not only in ELA, but also in science and reading, indicates several recent Board of Education investments are increasing opportunities, access, and outcomes for all students. These investments include $1.9 million in STEM under the current Strategic Plan, STEM teachers in every elementary school, $750,000 in equipment and furniture for elementary STEM labs, and $1.17 million in robotics equipment.

“Beyond these investments in STEM, recent board investments in core ELA resources and professional learning for teachers have also resulted in lesson plans that provide background knowledge supporting additional subjects such as science and social studies,” said Chief Learning and Performance Officer Termerion McCrary. “We can’t just teach skills in reading; we have to build understanding of other subjects while teaching reading. This is Henry County Schools’ plan of action to ensure a high-performing school district coming to life.”

“As we enter the fourth year of our current Community-Inspired Strategic Plan, we are pleased to see positive results that connect to the dreams and aspirations expressed by our community at the start of the strategic planning process,” added Board Chair Sophe Pope (Dist. 4). “We look forward to seeing this momentum continue to grow through the tremendous dedication and hard work of our students and staff.”

As the new school year begins, HCS is committed to deepening foundational literacy practices through “Henry Reads,” which includes sustained professional learning in the Science of Reading and structured literacy for all K-5 teachers and a focus on disciplinary literacy in all grade levels. Additionally, ongoing investment in STEM and science education will continue with additional STEM professionals, equipment, and professional learning at each school. 

Georgia Milestones Assessment System 

The Georgia Department of Education on July 26 released state, system, and individual school scores for the spring 2024 administration of the Georgia Milestones Assessment System for both EOG and EOC assessments. EOG scores report on student performance in grades 3-8, while EOC scores report on student performance in four different high school courses.

The Georgia Milestones assess student learning along four levels of performance for each subject area tested: beginning, developing, proficient, and distinguished learners. The goal for every student is to score at the proficient or above level in all subject areas. Additionally, students taking the ELA assessment receive a score related to reading below or on/above grade level. 

For school year 2023-2024, Georgia implemented new K-12 math standards, and as a result, the Georgia Department of Education is conducting standard-setting this summer and will delay the release of scores for third- through eighth-grade math and Algebra I until fall 2024. 

View a full summary of results by state, system, and school from the Georgia Department of Education.

Summary of District Results 

During the spring 2023-2024 administration, HCS students and teachers maintained or saw growth in the percentage of students scoring proficient and above in seven of 13 tested grade levels and subjects, including:

  • A 6-percentage-point increase in fifth-grade ELA
  • A 3-percentage-point increase in fifth-grade science
  • A 3-percentage-point increase in sixth-grade ELA
  • A 1-percentage-point increase in eighth-grade ELA
  • A 1-percentage-point increase eighth-grade social studies
  • A 2-percentage-point increase in high-school American Literature
  • A 2-percentage point increase in high school U.S. History

Additionally, in reading at or above grade level, HCS saw the following increases:

  • A 2-percentage-point increase in fifth-grade reading
  • A 6-percentage-point increase in sixth-grade reading

Further, when compared to statewide growth, HCS met or outpaced the state’s growth in multiple areas for students scoring proficient and above or reading at or above grade level:  

  • HCS gained 6 percentage points in sixth-grade reading, outpacing the state average of 3 percentage points
  • HCS gained 3 percentage points in fifth-grade science, outpacing the state average of 2 percentage points
  • HCS gained 3 percentage points in sixth-grade ELA, outpacing the state average of 2 percentage points
  • HCS and the state both gained 6 percentage points in fifth-grade ELA

Additionally, among race and ethnicity subgroups, all student groups had increases in student achievement in at least one elementary school, middle school, and high school tested area.

“We look forward to a deeper dive into the results of our student groups as we remain committed to ensuring that all students are equipped with an educational experience that sets them up for success in the future,” said McCrary.”

School-Level Bright Spots

Each of Henry County’s 52 schools also demonstrated ongoing progress in the 2023-2024 Georgia Milestones assessment results. 

  • 100% of elementary schools saw an increase in at least one tested metric (third-fifth ELA proficient and above, third-fifth reading at or above grade level, and/or fifth-grade science proficient and above)
  • 100% of middle schools saw an increase in at least three tested metrics (sixth-eighth ELA proficient and above, sixth-eighth reading at or above grade level, eighth-grade science proficient and above, high-school Physical Science proficient and above, and/or eighth-grade social studies proficient and above)
  • 92% of high schools maintained or saw an increase in at least one tested metric (American Literature and Composition proficient and above, American Literature and Composition reading on grade level, Biology proficient and above, and/or U.S. History proficient and above)

The following schools earned achievement levels that outpaced statewide averages:

  • Dutchtown Elementary: third-grade reading (69%)
  • East Lake Elementary: third-grade ELA (40%), fourth-grade ELA (38%), fourth-grade reading (58%), fifth-grade reading (79%), fifth-grade Science (43%)
  • Mt. Carmel Elementary: fifth-grade reading (77%)
  • New Hope Elementary: third-grade reading (75%), fourth-grade ELA (45%), fourth-grade reading (72%), fifth-grade reading (79%)
  • Ola Elementary: third-grade reading (70%) and fourth-grade reading (60%)
  • Ola Middle: sixth-grade reading (64%), seventh-grade reading (71%), eighth-grade reading (81%), eighth-grade ELA (50%), eighth-grade science (34%), eighth-grade Physical Science (74%), eighth-grade social studies (44%)
  • Ola High: American Literature reading (75%), American Literature (48%), Biology (54%), U.S. History (53%)
  • Red Oak Elementary: third-grade reading (65%)
  • Rock Spring Elementary: fifth-grade reading (75%), fifth-grade science (43%)
  • Rocky Creek Elementary: third-grade ELA (50%), third-grade reading (69%), and fifth-grade reading (73%)
  • Timber Ridge Elementary: fourth-grade ELA (46%) and fourth-grade reading (67%)
  • Union Grove High: American Literature reading (79%), American Literature (57%), Biology (53%), U.S. History (40%)
  • Union Grove Middle: sixth-grade reading (72%), sixth-grade ELA (52%), seventh-grade reading (81%), seventh-grade ELA (49%), eighth-grade reading (84%), eighth-grade ELA (56%), eighth-grade social studies (49%)
  • Woodland Elementary: fifth-grade reading (79%)
  • Woodland High: American Literature reading (70%)
  • Woodland Middle: seventh-grade reading (72%), eighth-grade Physical Science (55%)

Further school-based highlights include: 

  • Austin Road Elementary had a 17-percentage-point gain in fifth-grade ELA. 
  • Austin Road Middle maintained or saw increases in all ELA and science courses/grade levels, including double-digit gains in eighth-grade Physical Science (20 percentage points). 
  • Bethlehem Elementary had double-digital gains in fifth-grade ELA (11 percentage points) and fifth-grade science (13 percentage points). 
  • Cotton Indian Elementary had increases in all fourth- and fifth-grade tested metrics, including double-digit gains in fifth-grade reading (12 percentage points), fifth-grade ELA (15 percentage points), and fifth-grade science (17 percentage points). 
  • Dutchtown Middle had a 27-percentage-point increase in Physical Science. 
  • Dutchtown High had increases in all tested courses/metrics, including a double-digit gain in Biology (14 percentage points).
  • Eagle’s Landing Middle maintained or had increases in all reading metrics and all science courses. 
  • Excel Academy Middle had a 10-percentage-point increase in eighth-grade reading.
  • Flippen Elementary had increases in all third- and fifth-grade tested metrics, including a double-digit gain in fifth-grade ELA (16 percentage points).
  • Hampton Elementary maintained or saw increases in all third- and fifth-grade tested metrics, including double-digit increases in third-grade reading (17 percentage points) and fifth-grade ELA (10 percentage points). 
  • Hampton Middle had a 12-percentage-point increase in Physical Science. 
  • Hickory Flat Elementary maintained or saw increases in all ELA and science grade levels. 
  • Locust Grove Elementary maintained or saw increases in all ELA and science grade levels, including double-digit gains in fifth-grade science (10 percentage points).
  • Locust Grove Middle had an 11-percentage-point increase in sixth-grade reading.
  • Luella Elementary had a 15-percentage-point increase in fifth-grade ELA.
  • Luella Middle had increases in all ELA grade levels. 
  • McDonough Middle had an 11-percentage-point increase in sixth-grade reading.
  • Mt. Carmel Elementary had double-digit increases in fifth-grade reading (11 percentage points) and fifth-grade ELA (12 percentage points).  
  • New Hope Elementary had double-digit increases in fourth-grade reading (16 percentage points) and fourth-grade ELA (12 percentage points).
  • Ola Elementary had a 14-percentage-point increase in fifth-grade ELA.
  • Ola High had a 14-percentage-point increase in U.S. History. 
  • Ola Middle had double-digit increases in sixth-grade reading (10 percentage points), eighth-grade ELA (10 percentage points), and eighth-grade social studies (11 percentage points).
  • Pleasant Grove Elementary had a 14-percentage-point increase in third-grade reading.
  • Red Oak Elementary had an 18-percentage-point increase in third-grade reading.
  • Rock Spring Elementary had increases in all fourth- and fifth-grade metrics, including double-digit increases in fifth-grade ELA (17 percentage points) and fifth-grade science (14 percentage points).
  • Smith-Barnes Elementary maintained or saw increases in all tested metrics.
  • Stockbridge Elementary saw increases in all tested metrics.
  • Tussahaw Elementary had double-digit increases in fifth-grade reading (16 percentage points) and fifth-grade ELA (14 percentage points).
  • Union Grove High had an 11-percentage-point increase in American Literature and Composition.
  • Wesley Lakes Elementary had an 11-percentage-point increase in fifth-grade science.
  • Woodland Elementary had increases in all third- and fifth-grade metrics, including double-digit increases in third-grade reading (12 percentage points), fifth-grade reading (22 percentage points), and fifth-grade ELA (13 percentage points)
  • Woodland Middle maintained or saw increases in all ELA grade levels and reading metrics.

About Henry County Schools 

Henry County Schools (HCS) is the eighth-largest school district in Georgia, consisting of 53 schools, including two academies, located about 20 minutes south of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Over the past 20 years, our community has grown in population from 113,000 residents to over 244,000 residents. Since 1999, student enrollment has grown from 21,000 to 43,000 students, and our number of employees has grown from 3,000 to 6,000. 
 
HCS is “In Pursuit of Exceptional,” taking action to advance opportunities, access, and outcomes so that every student in our school district has Exceptional Support, Exceptional Access, and an Exceptional Future. In 2020, our Board of Education adopted our 2021-2026 Community-Inspired Strategic Plan and laid out a clear vision and mission for Henry County Schools. Our vision is to ensure a high-quality, world-class education for every student, and our mission is to empower all students with exceptional opportunities and access that lead to success in a global society. 

###