Rockdale County Public Schools high school students continued their trend of setting high marks on the Georgia High School Writing Test this year.

Overall, the RCPS district average increased one percent from a year ago to 97 percent of students meeting or exceeding on the writing test. RCPS students outperformed the state average of 96 percent.

Heritage High School students received a 97 percent mark, the same as last year. Rockdale County High School and Salem High School students raised their scores by two percent from last year to 98 and 96 percent.

"Once again I congratulate our classroom teachers in all subjects who support our interdisciplinary approach to teaching writing," said RCPS Superintendent Richard Autry in a press release. "Written expression is a key skill desired by colleges and employers alike and our students continue to demonstrate strong writing skills as evidenced by these impressive results from each of our high schools again this year. I am proud of the accomplishments of our students and appreciate the collective efforts of our high school staff."

The GHSWT scores reflect eleventh-grade first time test takers who took the exam in September.

In a press release, the Georgia Department of Education stated this year marked the last full administration of the GHSWT. In the future, students' writing will be assessed through the Georgia Milestones Assessment System.

"As we transition to a new assessment system, students will still be required to show their writing proficiency, but they will participate in one comprehensive testing program, rather than a series of individual tests," said State Superintendent Dr. John Barge.