• STATE AND LOCAL ASSESSMENTS

     

    State and local assessments are used in education to evaluate students' academic progress and the effectiveness of educational programs, but they differ in several key aspects:

     

    1. Scope and Coverage:
      • State Assessments: These assessments are standardized tests mandated by the state education department and are typically administered to all students within the state. They aim to measure students' proficiency in core subjects according to state academic standards.
      • Local Assessments: Local assessments are designed and administered by individual schools or school districts. They may cover a broader range of topics and skills beyond what is mandated by state standards, and they can be customized to meet the specific needs and goals of the school or district.
    2. Purpose:
      • State Assessments: The primary purpose of state assessments is to provide a standardized measure of student achievement across the state. Results are often used for school and district accountability purposes, to identify areas for improvement, and to inform educational policy and funding decisions.
      • Local Assessments: Local assessments serve multiple purposes, including monitoring student progress throughout the school year, identifying individual student strengths and weaknesses, informing instructional planning and differentiation, and evaluating the effectiveness of specific instructional programs or interventions implemented at the local level.

     

    Formative assessment is assessment for learning. It takes place while instruction is still occurring to gather immediate feedback that identifies students' academic strengths and areas for growth, to plan differentiated instruction, and to support student learning. Georgia's statewide formative assessments include the GKIDS Readiness Check, GKIDS 2.0​, Keenville​,​ and DRC BEACON​.

     

    Summative assessment is assessment of learning. It takes place at the end of an instructional period and measures student achievement, or mastery of intended learning outcomes. Statewide summative assessment data is typically used to assess instructional programs, support school and district improvement efforts, and inform policy decisions. Georgia's statewide summative assessments include WIDA ACCESS, GAA 2.0, and Georgia Milestones​. Georgia also participates in the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) in grades 4, 8, and 12.