Scores in Newton County and the state as a whole on Georgia’s High School Writing Test dropped slightly from last year. However, the Newton County School System said it had "solid results," with overall pass rates in the 90th percentile.

Students in the 11th grade participate in the GHSWT and must pass the test to earn a high school diploma.

All three schools and the district as a whole had more than a 90 percent pass rate for junior, first-time test-takers. In addition, the district matched the state pass rate of 94 percent.

At the school level, Alcovy and Newton High schools each had 93 percent of their test-takers pass the writing test this fall. The percentage of students who passed at Eastside was 95 percent.

But both state and district scores showed slight decreases in 2013, the release said.

Georgia’s pass rate dropped from 95 percent in 2012 to 94 percent in 2013, and Newton County’s pass rate decreased from 96 percent in 2012 to 94 percent in 2013.

Samantha Fuhrey, NCSS superintendent, said that Newton high schools’ achievement on the writing test reflects their continued commitment to excellence.

"While posting score’s in the 90’s is no small task, we will continue to work to ensure that all students experience success on the GHSWT," Fuhrey said.  

The GHSWT test is administered three times a year so that students have multiple opportunities to take the test before the end of the 12th grade.

The main administration of the GHSWT takes place in the fall of the 11th-grade year. 

Results are used to identify students who may need additional instruction in academic content and skills considered essential for a high school diploma.