CCSD Students Continue to Top the State
Cherokee County School District students continue to surpass their classmates statewide on the Georgia High School Writing Test (GHSWT), with 99% of students passing it on their first attempt.
Students in the 11th grade must pass the two-hour test in order to show mastery of essential writing skills and earn a regular education diploma. This is the last year for the GHSWT, as student writing will be evaluated in the future by the Georgia Milestones Assessment System.
Each GHSWT is scored by two Georgia Center for Assessment readers, who independently rate the responses to persuasive writing prompts on four domains of writing. The test is administered three times a year so that students have multiple opportunities to pass it before the end of the 12th grade. Teachers have access to their students’ scores to plan appropriate instruction based on strengths and weaknesses for students who did not initially pass the test.
The percentage of CCSD’s 2,567 Grade 11 first-time regular program test-takers passing the Fall 2014 GHSWT is 99%, tying the 2013 CCSD rate and exceeding the State’s 2014 rate of 96%. Additionally, as shown below, all CCSD high schools exceeded the State’s rate. The performance of CCSD’s students with disabilities also significantly exceeded State results, with 91% passing, as compared to the State’s rate of 79%.
State 96%
CCSD 99%
Cherokee HS 98%
Creekview HS 98%
Etowah HS 99%
River Ridge HS 100%
Sequoyah HS 98%
Woodstock HS 99%
“These results, following the recent release of continued outstanding scores on the SAT and ACT, further strengthen CCSD’s reputation as a teaching and learning institution where every child receives an outstanding education!” Cherokee County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank R. Petruzielo said. “This success is a result of not only the dedication and determination shown by our students, but also by teachers, administrators, support staff, parents, volunteers, local businesses and everyone in our community who advocates for our public schools.”
“No matter the obstacles put in our path in recent years, our schools have overcome them to ensure that each student has the opportunity to exceed expectations and be as prepared as possible for the challenges of college and careers!” Dr. Petruzielo added.
Please click here to visit the CCSD site and view the original announcement.