Fulton County Schools improved its state report card scores across elementary, middle and high school levels.
The Georgia Department of Education on Thursday released results of the 2016-17 College and Career Ready Performance Index, a school report card that includes a variety of measures, with test performance the most important.
The scores are based on a 100-point scale, with up to 10 possible bonus points.
Fulton’s overall score of 78 beat the statewide average by three points. It is also up 3.3 points from the district’s score last year.
Superintendent Jeff Rose touted the results as the district’s “highest performing year ever.”
The district’s elementary schools made the largest gain, up 4.3 points from last year, lifting this year’s score to a 77.6. The district’s middle schools scored 72.8 points, up 2 points from last year. High schools scored 82.4 points, up 2.9 points.
Early next week the state plans to release its list of “turnaround eligible” schools -- which will include those from across the state that fall in the bottom 5 percent of scores over the last three years.
Rose highlighted efforts to improve scores at schools that fell under the state’s previous designation of “chronically failing.” Six Fulton schools lifted their scores high enough that they no longer meet that previous definition, which means their scores are now above 60 points.
He said the district has a strategic plan to improve its schools whose scores slipped, such as Lee Elementary School. That school’s 9 point drop is among the larger declines in the district, and its score fell to a 61.8.
Schools who score in that range will receive more administrative support, targeted focus on math and literacy, and regular check ups. It boils down, Rose said, to “increased pressure and support.”
Among the district’s lowest scoring schools is Asa G. Hilliard Elementary School, which had a score of 47.3. It is one of several Fulton schools that this year fell into the bottom 5 percent of Georgia school scores, according to an analysis of the 2017 data by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The district had 17 schools that posted double-digit improvements. Leading the pack is Hillside Elementary School, which saw its score go up nearly 25 points to 89.3.
Across Georgia, elementary schools received a 73.9, middle schools received a 73.8, and high schools received a 77.6. The state scores are also up across the board from the 2016 results.
Atlanta Public School results can be found here.
Gwinnett County results can be found here.
Clayton County results can be found here.
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