Cobb, Marietta Schools See Improved Results in Math

Georgia Math Milestones scores for the 2023-2024 school year released Monday showed both Marietta and Cobb County school districts made significant improvements in mathematics across almost all grade levels.

The Milestones math results were released two months after the results for English/Language Arts, science and social studies to align with the new mathematics standards first implemented during the 2023-24 school year.

In Cobb, average scores increased across all levels for math, while Marietta scores increased or held steady for all except third grade.

“Families in Cobb expect high-quality education, and they’re getting it for the best value in Atlanta. By outperforming their peers year after year, our educators and students continually show the community that their support is paying off,” Cobb Board of Education Chair Randy Scamihorn said in a news release.

Students in Cobb outperformed the state across all grade levels and Marietta in fifth grade through high school.

Marietta’s third graders outdid Cobb’s by one point with an average score of 531. For fourth grade students, Marietta saw an average score 10 points higher than Cobb schools.

Marietta scored higher than the state at most levels, except for seventh and eighth grade.

While Cobb middle and high school students scored higher on Algebra: Concepts and Connections, Marietta students showed the highest growth in the subject in the metro Atlanta area, according to Marietta officials. Marietta's average score increased by 24 points, more than doubling Cobb’s growth and nearly tripling the state’s.

"Our students' achievements in mathematics speak volumes about the dedication of our teachers and their commitment to excellence," Marietta Superintendent Grant Rivera said in a news release. "This growth is not just about numbers; it's about meeting our students where they are and helping them exceed expectations. By focusing on individual needs and providing the right support, we're empowering students to thrive not only in mathematics but in their overall academic journey."

Increased Math Proficiency

Compared to the state and Marietta, Cobb had the highest percentage of students who achieved proficient or distinguished learner levels for algebra at 56%.

Of the 146,698 students tested at the state level, 44% achieved proficient or distinguished learner levels for algebra, compared to 51% of the 708 Marietta students.

There are four achievement levels on Georgia Milestones. Distinguished is the highest, demonstrating advanced proficiency in the knowledge and skills presented based on Georgia’s content standards.

Due to standard-setting aligned to the new mathematics standards, some score elements, like the percentages of students in the proficient and distinguished learner levels, are not comparable to previous years.

In four of six grades, Marietta matched or outpaced state gains for the percentage of students attaining proficient or distinguished learner status in math, according to MCS officials.

Cobb had a higher percentage of overall proficient or distinguished learners than Marietta across all grades except fourth. Both districts outperformed the state percentage.

Cobb also had the highest average score for algebra at 537, 10 points higher than Marietta and 19 points higher than the state level.

Marietta Middle School outperformed Marietta High School in algebra with an average score of 601 compared to 513.

Lassiter High School scored the highest in algebra across all high schools with an average score of 565, however Dickerson Middle School received the highest overall algebra score at 666.

Of the 27 middle schools tested in algebra, 25 outperformed Lassiter, the highest scoring high school in both districts.

For End-of-Grade assessments in elementary and middle schools, Cobb schools improved at all grade levels, with the largest score improvement in eighth grade math.

Marietta experienced a three-point decline in third grade math scores and no changes in sixth grade.

Marietta fourth graders recorded the highest growth in both math and reading within the metro area, with Lockheed Elementary achieving the eighth highest growth in the state in fourth grade math.

The school’s average score in fifth grade math improved by 20 points from 480 in 2023 to 500 in 2024, according to MCS officials.

"Our teachers have approached this year with renewed enthusiasm and a sharp focus on making Lockheed a place where students can truly grow and thrive," Lockheed Principal Tricia Patterson said in a release. "This remarkable growth reflects not just their hard work but the deep commitment they have to our students' success."

Marietta officials also shared that the Marietta Center for Advanced Academics and West Side Elementary were among the top eight schools in the state based on third grade average scores and the percentage of students achieving proficient or distinguished levels. Three Cobb County schools, Mount Bethel, Timber Ridge and East Side elementary schools, ranked in the top 20 for third grade average scores.

Success Among Diverse Student Groups

Marietta officials said the district also experienced improvements for students with disabilities as well Black and Hispanic students.

Marietta students with disabilities in fourth grade math had an average score of 515, 25 points higher than their peers in the state. Forty four percent of these students reached proficient or distinguished learner levels, doubling the state average.

Black students across all grades and Hispanic students in third, fourth and fifth grade at MCS also outperformed the state in average scores, with significant gains in proficient and distinguished learner levels, said MCS officials.

Adopted in 2021 and first implemented in classrooms last school year, the new mathematics standards were drafted by Georgia math teachers with input from educational leaders, parents, students and business and industry leaders, according to the Georgia Department of Education.

In a news release, Marietta City School officials stated that the district had created an environment where students could thrive in mathematics by prioritizing data-driven instruction, implementing personalized learning plans and investing in professional development for educators.

A review of all results shows overall improvement at both the county and state levels.

Georgia’s average scores increased or held steady for 18 of the 20 ELA, science, social studies and mathematics categories. In Cobb, average scores increased or held steady in 18 of 20 categories, compared to 16 of 20 categories for Marietta.

The percentage of Georgia students who achieved the proficient learner level or above increased or held steady on six of seven End-of-Grade and End-of-Course assessments.

“Reviewing these results, I am extremely proud of Georgia students and our mathematics teachers and leaders throughout the state, along with all those who contributed to the review and redesign of Georgia’s K-12 mathematics standards,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said in a news release. “Thousands of Georgians participated in the process of creating the new standards – they are truly Georgia-owned and Georgia-grown, and these scores are an early indicator of success for that work.”