CHS Seniors Rank Fifth In State On Graduation Tests
The Class of 2008 at Commerce High School ranked fifth in Georgia in the percentage of students passing the Georgia High School Graduation Test.
The tests were administered this spring. Seniors must pass tests in English/language arts, math, science and social studies to get their diplomas.
“We did great,” said Joy Tolbert, assistant superintendent.
“For the percent of students who passed all four tests, we ranked tied for fifth in Georgia,” said Superintendent Mac McCoy.
Eighty-nine percent of CHS seniors passed every test. That’s 10 points above the state average.
Tolbert attributed the difference to a focus on making sure students got the information required by the state curriculum.
“It’s teaching the curriculum, and the curriculum is aligned to the test,” Tolbert said. “The test takes care of itself as long as teachers are teaching the curriculum..”
CHS seniors scored as follows:
English/language arts: Ninety-six percent passed, 30.3 percent proficient, 50.6 percent advanced proficient, 14.6 percent honors
Math: Ninety-three percent passed, 51.7 percent advanced
Science: Ninety-three percent passed, 42.7 percent proficient, 38.2 percent advanced proficiency, 12.4 percent honors
Social Studies: Ninety-four percent passed, 58.4 percent advanced proficiency
Students who fail one or more of the exit exams have several opportunities to re-take the tests.
Other area school systems recorded the following percentages of students passing all of the tests: Jefferson, 81; Banks County, 79; Jackson County, 78.
