Students scores in math and science subjects saw growth that out-paced both the regional and state averages, a release on the results of the 2018 administration of the Georgia Milestones Assessment shows.

Improvements in high school subjects such as Physical Science and elementary tested subjects such as 3rd, 4th and 5th grade math all outpaced the state and regional averages in terms of improvement for students who scored “Developing” and above on the assessment.

“I am pleased with the improvements noted in our results, as we’re continuing to close the gap with regional and state averages,” Superintendent Kenneth Dyer said. “While we still have substantial work to do in some key areas, particularly early-grades literacy, the data show that many of the strategies we’re implementing are beginning to yield fruit for our students.”

DCSS officials believe the increases are attributable to three priorities encouraged by leadership in recent years: a focus on improving tier 1 instruction in classrooms across the district, the increasing familiarity and use of classroom technology across the district and additional support for remedial studies for students and support for new teachers to the district.

One of the largest jumps was in 9th grade literature which 87% of students scored as “Developing” or higher; an increase of over 14 percentage points from last year’s number and topping the state average of 82%. All tallied, the district showed growth that equaled or outpaced the state and regional averages in 15  tested areas. The data also show that DCSS students showed improvement over 2017 numbers in 11 tested areas.

For students scoring “Proficient” or higher, DCSS student scores are at four-year high in 12 of the tested areas.

The results come after the district made fundamental, high-quality classroom instruction one of its key priorities for the 2017-2018 school year. The 2018-2019 school year will be the first school year in which teachers and administrators will have a full years worth of new classroom strategies and support to use to help increase student achievement.

“We’re pleased with the progress being shown across content areas but there is still work to be done,” Dyer said. “By continuing to focus on tier 1 instruction and building capacity for high quality teaching and learning across the district, we’re confident that’ll we’ll continue to see growth as we move forward.“