The scores are in, with students at LCHS exceeding all expectations on the newly-revised Georgia High School Graduation Writing Test.

According to Brian Campbell, assistant superintendent for instruction for Lincoln County Schools, "The revised Georgia High School Graduation Writing Test was administered to LCHS juniors for the first time last September. The new test reflects the state's change from the Quality Core Curriculum (QCC) to Georgia Performance Standards (GPS)."

The new performance standards are currently being introduced in stages in all academic and vocational subject areas in grades K-12. Educators felt the QCC lacked depth and failed to meet national standards. Furthermore, a study revealed that it would take 23 years to cover the topics included in the QCC.

"Although the graduation writing test was revised to reflect the Georgia Performance Standards, it is obvious that LCHS students were prepared for the new writing assessment," Campbell said. "The percentage of students passing the test at LCHS increased from 97 percent in 2006 to 98 percent in 2007, while the passing rates for the state and the CSRA Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA) dropped five percentage points during the same time period."

A comparison of the passing percentages of all first-time test takers in the state is as follows:

2006 - LCHS, 97 percent; RESA, 93 percent; and the state, 94 percent. In addition to Lincoln, the other counties in the 12-county RESA service area are Wilkes, Columbia, Richmond, McDuffie, Jefferson, Burke, Jenkins, Warren, Emmanuel, Taliaferro, and Glascock.

2007 - LCHS, 98 percent; RESA, 87 percent; and the state, 89 percent.

"The outstanding performance of LCHS students on the writing test reflects the teachers and students' dedication to academic excellence," Campbell stated. "We are very proud of these students because this brings them one step closer to graduation."

The assistant superintendent went on to note that there are several important differences between the old QCC-based high school writing assessment and the new GPS-based assessment. These include:

.. Changes in the time line. These changes give students more time to complete the test - a total of 100 minutes.

.. The description of persuasive writing. The topics students must now address are more persuasive in nature as opposed to informational.

.. New domains. Grading criteria have been shifted to place more of an emphasis on student ideas.

.. Changes in the scoring system.

For more information about the Georgia High School Graduation Writing Test, contact Brian Campbell at 706-359-3742.