Rockdale County Public Schools students scored well above the state average in the 2013 Criterion Referenced Competency Testsfor a second year in a row but had a mixed performance compared to their scores last year.

In reading, RCPS students beat the state average by about 2 percentage points in each grade for those meeting and exceeding the standard. Compared to last year's RCPS reading scores, the percentage increased or was nearly the same in each grade.

In English/language arts, RCPS was well above the state in every grade. Compared to last year's RCPS ELA scores, RCPS saw significant drops of multiple percentage points in grades 3, 5 and 7.

In math, RCPS students did well over the state average, by as much as 4.5 percentage points. Compared to last year's RCPS math scores, all grades increased or were about the same, except for grade 3. In grade 3, the percent meeting or exceeding in math was about 6.2 percent lower than last year.

RCPS Superintendent Richard Autry said, "Our initial analysis reveals that for the second consecutive year, our students in grades 3-8 have out-performed the state in every grade level and every content area. This is a testament to the quality teachers and support staff who work tirelessly each day to educate our young people. To achieve these results in spite of our ongoing financial challenges is extremely impressive."

The CRCTs are administered to grades 3-8 in subject areas including reading, English/language arts, math, science and social studies. Third, fifth and eighth graders need to pass the test to be able to move onto the next grade.

Throughout the state, elementary and middle school students improved performance on the majority of the CRCTs taken this year, according to the Ga. Department of Education.

The 2013 CRCT results show a one-year improvement in the percentage of students meeting and exceeding on 18 of the 30 content-area tests, no change on seven tests and decreases on five tests. Students also reportedly saw increases in the "exceeds performance" rating on 24 of the 30 content areas.

"Our results this year on the CRCT show consistent progress and we continue to see many students scoring in the exceeds category," said State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge. "This is a testament to the great work our teachers are doing to take students to higher levels of learning."

These scores do not include retest scores, which will be released later in the year. School-specific test scores will also be released by July 10.

Meets and Exceeds the Standards:  Georgia students one year improvement on 18 of the 30 content-area tests

When comparing the percentage of students meeting or exceeding the standard, the greatest gains were seen in grade 5 mathematics (+6 percentage points), grade 6 social studies (+5 percentage points), grade 7 social studies (+5 percentage points) and grade 8 mathematics (+6 percentage points). There were decreases in five areas: grade 3 English language arts (-3 percentage points), grade 3 mathematics (-3 percentage points), grade 4 English language arts (-1 percentage point), grade 7 mathematics (-1 percentage point), and grade 8 English language arts (-1 percentage point). There were no changes on seven tests.

Georgia, along with all other states, will soon be required to significantly increase the rigor and cut scores of all state assessments.

"We're pleased with the performance on the 2013 CRCTs, but we know that as new federal criteria for state tests come into play in 2014-15, the expectations to meet standards will significantly increase," said state Superintendent John Barge. "The new cut scores will likely result in fewer students meeting and/or exceeding standards, but that is common when you change to a new and more rigorous test."