ATLANTA (November 4, 2016) | Sen. Larry Walker (R- Perry) commends the State Board of Education for its decision to eliminate Georgia Milestones End-of-Course tests for students who receive post-secondary credit through dual enrollment, a recommendation made by State Superintendent Richard Woods. This decision follows the passage of Senate Bill 364, sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Tippins (R- Marietta), during the 2015 legislative session.
“This is good news for our students, teachers and school systems as a whole,” said Sen. Walker. “The EOC test exemption for those successfully earning college credit is an added incentive for students to take advanced classes. I know teachers, parents and students across Georgia are happy to see fewer standardized tests, and I am proud to have supported SB364 to allow teachers to focus more time on teaching, instead of testing.”
The decision made by the State Board of Education also eliminates testing in third, fourth, sixth and seventh grades in science and social studies to allow teachers to evenly disperse classroom learning to all subject areas. It allows for diagnostic testing in reading and math in first and second grade, offering teachers the opportunity to see student progress.
Students who complete and receive credit for dual enrollment courses can be exempt from End-of-Course testing. The only classes that cannot be exempt are ninth grade Literature and Composition, Algebra I and Biology due to federal laws that require students to take these tests at least once while in high school.
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For Immediate Release:
November 4, 2016
For Information Contact:
Ines Owens, Acting Director
Elisabeth Fletcher, Communications Associate
elisabeth.fletcher@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028