Assessment - Georgia Milestones (GMAS)

General Information

The Georgia Milestones Assessment System (GMAS) is a comprehensive summative assessment program spanning grades 3 through 12. Georgia Milestones measures how well students have learned the knowledge and skills outlined in the state-adopted content standards in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Students in grades 3 through 8 take an end-of-grade (EOG) assessment in the core content areas, while high school students take an end-of-course (EOC) assessment for each of the four courses currently designated by the State Board of Education as EOC courses. The high school EOC courses correspond to each of the core content areas as follows:

Language Arts - American Literature and Composition
Mathematics - Algebra: Concepts and Connections
Science - Biology
Social Studies - United States History


Purpose

The Georgia Milestones Assessment System is designed to provide information about how well students are mastering the state-adopted content standards in the core content areas of language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Importantly, Georgia Milestones is designed to provide students with critical information about their own achievement and their readiness for their next level of learning – be it the next grade, the next course, or endeavor (college or career). Informing parents, educators, and the public about how well students are learning important content is an essential aspect of any educational assessment and accountability system. Parents, the public, and policy makers, including local school districts and boards of education, can use the results as a barometer of the quality of educational opportunity provided throughout the state of Georgia. As such, Georgia Milestones serves as a key component of the state’s accountability system – the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI).

Results

GMAS student results are typically available within two weeks of the last day of testing. These results will be used as a portion of the promotion and retention decision for students in Grades 3, 5, and 8. Additionally, the End of Course exams for high school students will count as 20% of the final course grade.

Georgia educators have developed four achievement levels to describe student mastery and command of the knowledge and skills outlined in Georgia’s content standards. Most students have at least some knowledge of the content described in the content standards; however, achievement levels succinctly describe how much mastery a student has. Achievement levels give meaning and context to scale scores by describing the knowledge and skills students must demonstrate to achieve each level.

The four achievement levels on Georgia Milestones are Beginning Learner, Developing Learner, Proficient Learner, and Distinguished Learner. The general meaning of each of the four levels is provided below:

  1. Beginning Learner - do not yet demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified in Georgia’s content standards. The students need substantial academic support to be prepared for the next grade level or course and to be on track for college and career readiness.
  2. Developing Learner - demonstrate partial proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified in Georgia’s content standards. The students need additional academic support to ensure success in the next grade level or course and to be on track for college and career readiness.
  3. Proficient Learner - demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified in Georgia’s content standards. The students are prepared for the next grade level or course and are on track for college and career readiness.
  4. Distinguished Learner - demonstrate advanced proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified in Georgia’s content standards. The students are well prepared for the next grade level or course and are well prepared for college and career readiness.

Documents and Resources

Click here for a Parent's Guide to the Georgia Milestones (3rd- High School)
GMAS FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

While the Georgia Department of Education sets the state testing window, MCSD does have some limited input on setting county test dates, though they will change yearly. Typically, testing will begin for grades 3-8 in early April and grades 9-12 will begin in late April.

Georgia State Law charges the Georgia Department of Education and the state's public school districts with assessing the yearly progress of students in Grades 3 through 12. Counties and Schools use standardized tests, such as the Georgia Milestones Assessment System, to measure the growth and achievement of students from year to year. The State code does not provide a parental opt-out option for students, and as such Muscogee County School District is required to administer the test to all students in its charge.

Muscogee County receives results about two full weeks after testing finishes, and schools will send individual score reports home with students once they arrive.

In order to maintain high levels of security surrounding sensitive student information, we choose not to give out test scores over the phone. You can either visit your current school's guidance office, or the school you last attended, to request copies of your records. If they have transferred the records, they will direct you where to go. Please come prepared to show a valid, state-issued photo ID.