Rome City Schools reported improvements in student performance on the 2024-2025 Georgia Milestones End-of-Grade and End-of-Course assessments, with notable gains in Math and English Language Arts (ELA) across several grade levels.
Superintendent Dr. Eric L. Holland commented on the progress, stating, “We continue to see solid growth in our students at Rome City Schools. But this isn’t just showing on one test. It shows when I visit classrooms and see the amazing work our teachers and students are doing every day. I’m proud of the effort being put forth, and I look forward to continuing to see our students grow.”
Math scores increased at almost every grade level from fourth through eighth grade, with an 11 percent increase for fourth graders and a 10 percent rise for sixth graders compared to last year. This marks the second year that Rome City Schools has implemented new Georgia Math standards, using resources from the Department of Education Math Learning Plans. Teachers, interventionists, and math coaches focused on instructional strategies and data analysis to drive these improvements.
The district’s math gains reflect similar trends seen statewide following the rollout of Georgia’s K-12 Mathematics Standards during the 2023-2024 school year. State School Superintendent Richard Woods remarked, “Seeing such strong and consistent gains in mathematics, even following significant increases the year prior, speaks to the quality of our new, Georgia-grown math standards. The results are clear, and I look forward to seeing similar gains in English Language Arts as we begin the new standards implementation process this school year and continue to roll out reading supports tied to early literacy legislation.”
In ELA, fourth-grade scores rose by eight percent while sixth-grade scores improved by six percent over last year’s results. To support literacy improvement efforts, Rome City Schools deployed literacy coaches and interventionists across all schools, adopted updated instructional materials for grades K-6, developed a Literacy Compass tool for guidance, introduced Amplify ELA at Rome Middle School, and began implementing a secondary literacy curriculum for ninth and tenth grades at Rome High School.
Despite progress in math and ELA, proficiency rates remained unchanged in science and U.S. History subjects. In response, the district approved more instructional resources, professional development opportunities, additional support staff—including a Director of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction—and an Instructional Support Specialist dedicated to improving these areas.
The district emphasized that its educators remain its most valuable resource. The Teaching, Leading, and Learning department will keep working with school leaders on staff development initiatives aimed at boosting professional knowledge and providing resources for effective teaching practices.
Looking ahead to 2025-2026, state-level initiatives will impact ELA achievement throughout Georgia classrooms:
For the first time this school year all K-3 teachers began trained in research-based structured literacy methods as part of compliance with the Georgia Early Literacy & Dyslexia Act; schools now have access to a free universal literacy screener.
New K-12 English Language Arts standards—embedding Science of Reading principles—are being introduced statewide.
Georgia is expanding professional learning opportunities linked to Amira Learning’s universal screener tool recommended by experts at Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy.
School-level literacy coaches will remain in place at high-need elementary schools—a program that previously resulted in up to a 15 percent improvement in student reading within one year according to universal screening measures.
Students participate annually in Georgia Milestones tests: End of Grade (EOG) assessments cover grades 3–8; End of Course (EOC) tests apply to certain high school courses. These assessments fulfill federal requirements for student testing across core subjects.
Georgia Milestones classifies student achievement into four categories: Beginning Learners, Developing Learners, Proficient Learners, or Distinguished Learners.
Superintendent Woods acknowledged those supporting these educational reforms: “I want to commend Georgia’s teachers, school districts, and the GaDOE Teaching & Learning team who are working diligently across the state to roll out new math and ELA standards, and to adopt instructional strategies aligned with the Science of Reading.”
“These efforts led in partnership with the State Board of Education, the Georgia General Assembly, the Georgia Council on Literacy, the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, and our Regional Educational Service Agencies will impact Georgia’s students for generations to come.”
