Northeast Cobb 11th Graders Ace State Writing Test

Northeast Cobb 11th graders have something to be proud of.

The students' average scale score of 230 improves upon 2010 results and remains ahead of averages for the state (224) and metro Atlanta area (226). The scale used to measure achievement ranges from 100 to 350, with a score of 200 considered "meets expectations," and 250 considered "exceeds expectations." Fourteen percent of Cobb students exceeded expectations on the test, an increase of 4 percent over 2010 scores.

Cobb's population of Students with Disabilities (SWD) and English Language Learners (ELL) also performed well on the writing test. The percentage of SWD meeting or exceeding standards was 84 percent, compared to just 66 percent of their peers statewide (see Table III). The percentage of ELL students in the district passing the writing test was 3 percent higher than in 2010, while the state average declined by 9 percent.  Eighty-six percent of ELL students tested in the district met or exceeded expectations, compared to just 70 percent statewide. English Language Learners were the only student program group in the district to post a gain on the GHSWT.

All 16 Cobb high schools saw 90 percent or more of their students meet or exceed expectations; , and were among the high schools that had 98 percent or more.

A passing score on the High School Graduation Test is one requirement for all students pursuing a high school diploma. The two-hour GHSWT was administered in late September to 6,661 Cobb juniors and required students to write a persuasive paper on an assigned topic. 

The Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) domains, or broad themes, covered by the writing test include Ideas, Organization, Style, and Convention. In each domain, Cobb students scored higher than their peers across the state. Four of Cobb's high schools including , and , had domain scores consistently higher than averages for the district, metro area and state.