Georgia officials say tests show academic improvement following pandemic disruptions

Georgia education officials say the 2023-24 Georgia Milestones results show "steady academic recovery" among Georgia's public school students following education disruption amid the pandemic.

According to education officials, the results, released on Friday, reveal scores "increased or held steady" for 10 of the 13 English language arts, science and social studies assessments. However, math results were not available pending the implementation of new content standards and assessments.

"As a state, we have invested in academic recovery and the supports districts need to get all students on track for successful futures," Georgia School Superintendent Richard Woods said in a statement. "There is certainly still work to be done, but I am confident we are on the right path."

In releasing the numbers, Peach State education officials said they are invested in "academic recovery" efforts, which include sending 60 trained literacy coaches to struggling elementary schools across Georgia and focusing on the 5% of schools that are the lowest performing.

During the 2023-24 school year, the state launched the GaTutor Program, working with 100 Georgia teachers to provide one-on-one online tutoring sessions for high school students. The state also partnered with AmeriCorps' math and reading corps programs to launch an initiative to tutor up to 5,000 students.

State officials also said they have additional support planned for the 2024-25 school year, including expanding BEACON formative assessments to kindergarten through 2nd grades and focusing on literacy beyond students in kindergarten through 3rd grade, a push that includes the launch of a "birth to 12th grade approach"

Georgia lawmakers included more than $15.5 billion for the Department of Education in the fiscal 2025 budget they approved earlier this year, up from the $14.5 billion in the amended fiscal 2024 spending plan. The 2025 budget includes more than $13.2 billion in state funds and nearly $2.3 billion in federal funds and grants.