97.5 percent passage rate for 3rd grade Reading and promotion test scores

Following the spring administration of the Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) and Summer Focus classes provided before a second administration of the test in late June, 97.5 percent of Coweta County third graders passed the CRCT Reading section.

Similarly, 93.8 percent of fifth grade students met or exceeded the requirements of both the CRCT Reading and Math sections.

Students had to meet or exceed minimum scores on the tests for promotion to the next grade, under current state law. Staring at the end of the 2005-2006 school year, 8th grade students must also pass the CRCT’s Math and Reading sections for promotion to the ninth grade.

The passage rates of 3rd graders at the first administration of the test and the overall pass rate was higher than the 2004 test rates.

“That’s quite an accomplishment, and it is the culmination of a lot of hard work by our teachers,” said Superintendent Blake Bass, of the passage rates. “Any time you have over 97 percent of your students meeting or exceeding the requirements, it demonstrates a commitment to high educational goals by our staff.”

The Criterion Reference Competency test is based on the state of Georgia’s basic curriculum, covering the areas of reading, language arts and math in grade 1 through 8, and science and social studies in grades 3 through 8. The test is administered in the spring at all schools.

Students who did not pass 3rd grade Reading or both of the 5th grade Reading or Math sections of the test were offered a chance to attend one of several Summer Focus classes that put students in small classes and allowed teachers to build their strengths in the subject areas.

The four-week classes were followed by a second administration of the tests on June 22.

This spring, 93.7 percent of Coweta third graders passed or exceeded expectations on the 3rd Grade Reading portion of the CRCT. 80 students took the retest in June with a 70 percent passage rate, leading to an overall 97.5 percent passage rate.

Of 5th grade students, 87.4 percent passed both the Math and Reading sections required for promotion at the first administration. 173 students were retested after Summer Focus classes in one or both areas. 58 percent passed both required sections, leading to an overall 93.8 percent passage rate.

“We were pleased with extent of participation with the summer programs, and of the passage rate of those students,” said Nancy Royal, Director of Elementary Curriculum for the school system.

Starting at the end of the 2005-2006 school year, 8th grade students must pass both portions of the CRCT reading and Math sections for promotion to the 9th grade. In some cases in all grades, progress on a student’s individualized education plan (IEP) will allow promotion despite not meeting minimum CRCT requirements.