APS eighth-graders excel on 2011 state writing test

Atlanta Public Schools students improved their performance by four percentage points and eliminated the achievement gap between the district and students around the state on the new Georgia Grade 8 Writing Assessment in 2011. Also, 83 percent of APS eighth-graders scored at “meets” or “exceeds” standards levels.

The results indicate steady improvement by APS students to the point where they are on par with their counterparts throughout the state, who also averaged 83 percent meeting or exceeding standards on the 2011 writing assessment.

A total of 3,093 APS students took the state writing test. The results indicate that APS students improved their performance from 79 percent meeting or exceeding standards last year to 83 percent scoring in those categories on the 2011 results.

The new Georgia Grade 8 Writing Assessment was administered for the first time in 2007. The purpose of the assessment is to assess student achievement on the Georgia Performance Standards in writing and to improve writing and writing instruction. Students are required to respond to writing prompts on either an expository or persuasive writing topic.

“Consistent, incremental improvement over time constitutes positive proof that our reform programs implemented over the past decade are effective in escalating student academic performance,” said Superintendent Dr. Beverly L. Hall. “I congratulate our teachers and school-based staff and administrators for their dedication and hard work to achieve these very positive results.”