Georgia Milestones: Best and worst school districts in reading, science, social studies

Georgia Department of Education published its Milestones scores for the 2023-2024 school year last week.

The assessment system looks at multiple subject areas and whether or not students are performing at the level they need to be. According to a news release from GDOE , overall scores increased or held steady on 10 of 13 assessments in English-language arts, science, and social studies. Georgia Superintendent Richard Woods praised this accomplishment.

“I am proud of Georgia’s students and educators for their continued hard work, which has led to consistent improvements in student performance over the last several years,” Woods said. “As a state, we have invested in academic recovery and the supports districts need to get all students on track for successful futures. There is certainly still work to be done, but I am confident we are on the right path.”

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Georgia's Milestones math scores won't be available until later this fall due to the assessments being updated to align with the new K-12 mathematics standards. These are the top and bottom 10 in each category out of more than 150 school systems statewide.

Third grade is considered a pivotal point for establishing proficient reading levels. Here are the school districts with the highest percentage of third-grade students reading at or above the grade level :

1. Oconee County School District: 88.5%
2. Bremen City School District: 88.4%
3. Buford City School District: 87.6%
4. Charlton County Schools: 85.5%
5. Chickamauga City School District: 84.3%
6. Effingham County Schools: 83.3%
7. Jefferson City Schools: 82.2%
8. Commerce City Schools: 81.2%
9. Fayette County Public Schools: 80.7%
10. Bryan County Schools: 80.5%

The following school districts did the worst, having the highest percentage of third graders that read below their grade level :

1. Hancock County Schools: 81.4%
2. Baker County School District: 75%
3. Quitman County School District: 70%
4. Turner County School District: 65.8%
5. Chattooga County School District: 64.2%
6. Talbot County Public Schools: 63.3%
7. Wilkinson County School District: 62%
8. Seminole County Public Schools: 58%
9. Dooly County School System: 57.8%
10. Griffin-Spalding County School System: 56.4%

In eighth grade, Milestones also test science and social studies proficiencies. Here are the schools with the highest percentage of students that are proficient or higher science learners :

1. Schley County Schools: 70.1%
2. Monroe County Schools: 65.3%
3. Buford City School District: 62.9%
4. Pierce County Schools: 60.9%
5. Bremen City School District: 60.5%
6. Harris County School District: 57.1%
7. Berrien County Schools: 55.1%
8. Heard County School System: 53.1%
9. Echols County Schools: 50.9%
10. Laurens County Schools: 50.8%

Meanwhile, these were the school districts with the highest amount of students with beginner-level science skills :

1. Baker County School District: 100%
2. Gwinnett County Public Schools: 97%
3. Quitman County School District: 93.8%
4. Richmond County School System: 86.1%
5. Thomasville City Schools: 85.7%
6. Forsyth County Schools: 78.6%
7. Crawford County School District: 75%
8. Griffin-Spalding County School System: 75%
9. Hancock County Schools: 73.9%
10. Calhoun County Schools: 73.2%

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Here are the top school districts in social studies with the highest percentage of students that are proficient or higher learners:

1. Oconee County School District: 76.3%
2. Fayette County Public Schools: 66.9%
3. Schley County Schools: 65.5%
4. Bremen City Schools: 64.1%
5. Monroe County Schools: 63.9%
6. Forsyth County Schools: 63.3%
7. Montgomery County School System: 61.2%
8. Lowndes County Schools: 60.7%
9. Trion City Schools: 60.5%
10. Buford City School District: 60%

Below are the school districts with the highest amount of students with beginner-level social studies skills:

1. Quitman County School District: 81.3%
2. Hancock County Schools: 71.7%
3. Talbot County Public Schools: 64.3%
4. Crisp County School System: 58.7%
5. Jefferson County Schools: 57.8%
6. Mitchell County Schools: 57%
7. Richmond County School System: 56.5%
8. Calhoun County School District: 56.1%
9. Turner County School District: 55.8%
10. Baker County School District: 55.6%

The rankings above are based on data provided by the GDOE. They do not include charter schools, state schools, the judicial system, and other non-public school systems.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Georgia Milestones: Best and worst school districts in reading, science, social studies