Middle schools score well on state writing assessment

Mon, 05/08/2006 - 8:47am
By: The Citizen

Fulton County continues its trend of high scores on state testing with 93 percent of eighth grade students scoring “On Target” or at the “Exceeds Target” level on the Middle Grades Writing Assessment. For the seventh consecutive year Fulton County has scored above the state and metro Atlanta average.

Scaled scores on the assessment range from 300 to 400, with scores classified within three categories set by the state – “Not on Target,” “On Target,” and “Exceeds Target.” Fulton has 24 percent of the students in the “Exceeds Target” category while the metro Atlanta area has 18 percent and the state has 15 percent.

All Fulton County middle schools have more than 82 percent of students scoring “On Target” or “Exceeds Target.” The majority of the middle schools had more than 90 percent of the students scoring “On Target” or “Exceeds Target,” and seven schools had 95 percent or more.

Scores between 349 and 367 are identified as “On Target,” which means that student papers are focused, have a clear beginning, middle and end, and that the writer’s intent can be determined. A score of 368 or higher is identified as “Exceeds Target.” These student papers are focused and effectively organized with relevant supporting ideas that demonstrate logical connections. Scores ranging from 300 to 348 are identified as “Not on Target,” which means that the student’s work lacks focus and organization.

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