For additional information on all assessment given in Georgia, please go the Georgia Department of Education (Testing/Assessment)


GKIDS -- The Georgia Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (GKIDS) is a year-long, performance-based assessment aligned to the state mandated content standards. The goal of the assessment program is to provide teachers with information about the level of instructional support needed by individual students entering kindergarten and first grade. The most recent GKIDS assessment score will be displayed for kindergarteners. 


WIDA ACCESS-- WIDA ACCESS is administered, annually, to all English learners in Georgia. WIDA ACCESS is a standards-based, criterion referenced English language proficiency test designed to measure English learners social and academic proficiency in English. It assesses social and instructional English as well as the language associated with language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies within the school context across the four language domains. These scores will be shown at all grades.


Alternate ACCESS- WIDA Alternate ACCESS is a recently developed, individually administered test. It is intended only for English learners with significant cognitive disabilities that are severe enough to prevent meaningful participation in the WIDA Alternate ACCESS assessment.WIDA Alternate ACCESS is not intended for ELs who can be served with special education accommodations on WIDA ACCESS. Decisions regarding a student's participation must be made by an IEP team.  A participation requirement is that they participate in the GAA and are EL. PK and Kindergarten are not assessed by the general WIDA ACCESS or the WIDA  Alternate ACCESS. For students in grade 1-2. the IEP team needs to determine how that child will be assessed-- are they able to participate in school-wide or grade level assessments, or do they need an alternate form of assessment. They should address the ACCESS test if the child is an EL child.  See the Student Assessment Handbook for additional information and participation criteria.


GAA 2.0 -- If a student’s IEP team determines that a student cannot meaningfully access the Georgia Milestones Assessment System, even with maximum appropriate accommodations, then the student must participate in the GAA 2.0. The GAA 2.0 is designed to ensure that students with significant cognitive disabilities are provided access to the state academic content standards and given the opportunity to demonstrate achievement of the knowledge, concepts, and skills inherent in the standards.


This assessment will provide meaningful information about classroom instruction and help identify students’ areas of strength and improvement through standardized tests. Unlike the original GAA, GAA 2.0 is not a portfolio-based assessment. Thus, it will measure students’ achievement and not progress. The GAA 2.0 will be administered to all eligible students in the following areas:

  • Grades 3, 4, 6, and 7 will be assessed in English Language Arts and Mathematics.
  • Grades 5 will be assessed in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science.
  • Grades 8, and 11(or 12th when applicable) will be assessed in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies.


The GAA 2.0 will include standardized items with multiple access points. The intent is to reduce the teacher’s burden related to selecting or developing tasks; bring greater standardization to the administration; improve scoring reliability; and introduce an online task submission system. 


GA Milestones End of Grade -- 

  • Grades 3, 4, 6, and 7 will be assessed in English Language Arts and Mathematics.
  • Grades 5 will be assessed in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science.
  • Grades 8 will be assessed in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies.​


GA Milestones End of Course --  High school students take an End of Course assessment for each of the four courses designated by the State Board of Education. 

  • English Language Arts - American Literature and Composition
  • Mathematics - Algebra: Concepts and Connections (Algebra 1 and Coordinate Algebra are no longer EOC courses)
  • Science - Biology​​
  • ​​Social Studies - United States History


Georgia Milestones assesses student learning along four levels of performance.


Beginning Learners do not yet demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified in Georgia 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. 

 

Developing Learners demonstrate partial proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified by Georgia 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. 

 

Proficient Learners demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified in Georgia content standards. The students are prepared for the next grade level or course and are on track for college and career readiness. 

 

Distinguished Learners demonstrate advanced proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified in Georgia content standards. The students are well prepared for the next grade level or course and are well prepared for college and career readiness.