CRCT Retest Scores Show Improvement

Pass rates on the Criterion Referenced Competency Tests in grades 3, 5 and 8 improved dramatically after students received extra instruction over the summer and had the chance to take the test again.

State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox shared the information with the State Board of Education Wednesday afternoon.

"We knew that many of our students were very close to passing the CRCTs in reading and math and that a little extra instruction would help them get over the bar -- and that's exactly what happened," said Superintendent Cox. "We now have thousands more students who are ready for the work they will see in the next grade."

After retest results are added in, 77 percent of Georgia's eighth-graders and 83 percent of fifth-graders met or exceeded standards on the CRCTs in Mathematics. In reading, after including retest results, 92 percent of third-graders and fifth-graders and 93 percent of eighth-graders met or exceeded standards on the CRCT.

The CRCT retest scores will be calculated into this year's formula to determine if a school made Adequate Yearly Progress in 2008. An updated AYP report will be released in the fall.

In order to be automatically promoted to the next grade, students in grades 3, 5 and 8 must pass the CRCT in reading and students in grades 5 and 8 must pass the CRCT in mathematics. Students who do not pass must be given the opportunity to receive additional instruction and take the test again. A student who does not pass the CRCT retest can still be promoted after a meeting between the parents, teacher and principal, but a plan must be developed to address the areas where the student may need extra help.

- Promotion, Placement and Retention Guidance: http://public.doe.k12.ga.us/pea_policy.aspx?PageReq=PEARetention
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