Greene County School System recently revealed an increase in performance levels among “most grade levels” of its students.
The data is measured based on the results of the 2024-25 Georgia Milestones assessments, which are required for grades 3-12.
The district released a press release on Aug. 11 that stated students’ performance improved across multiple classroom subjects, especially in Sciences and Social Studies. Within the county, overall assessment scores remain below the state average, however.
Despite the overall results falling below the state average, the district is “encouraged” by the performance improvements, which appeared in “several key subjects and grade levels.” The press release included a statement from Dr. Jody Worth, the director of teaching and learning for the GCSS.
She noted that the performance results show the school system to “hold the line in many areas, while making notable gains in others.”
“We know there’s still work to do,” said Worth. “We are using this data to guide our next steps and ensure that every student makes meaningful progress by putting the right people in place, using high-quality, research-based curriculum, and creating learning environments where students can thrive.”
GCSS’s highlighted achievements across multiple grade levels in the district, including 5th-and 8th-grade science.
Both subject levels increased by more than 20 points in the Milestones assessments.
The report also noted that U.S. history proficiency increased at the high school level, and multiple other subjects “held steady overall.”
Greene County Elementary School relocated to a new educational building in December 2024, approximately four months before the state testing assessments. The report, therefore, listed this circumstance as a “transition year” for many students, hence a possible reason for some of the elementary grades’ lower performance levels.
With the general increase in science and social studies assessments, the report noted that improvements reflect an overall increase in the subjects’ scores statewide. Therefore, district leaders are hopeful that recent investments in literacy training, instructional coaching, and new resources will result in higher ELA and reading scores in the near future.
As a result of the 2024-25 Georgia Milestones scores, the GCSS plans to implement multiple assets, including the intake of new learning tools and curriculum materials, along with individualized coaching. The district will also reportedly move to “Competency-Based Education” over multiple years to personalize learning and increase student success.
The GCSS press release’s conclusion featured a statement from Dr. Arryn Schmuhl, who was recently sworn in as the district’s superintendent. He believes the schools are on the right track, noting that the district prioritizes seeing the momentum shift into “sustained growth across every grade and subject.”
“The gains we’re seeing in science and social studies show what’s possible when our students, teachers, and community work together,” Schmuhl said. “Moving toward competency-based education will help us meet each learner where they are and help them master the skills they need to be equipped for long-term success.”