Assessment & Accountability

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 2023-2024 Testing Calendar

Newton County School System (NCSS) has a comprehensive student assessment program consisting of instruments, procedures and policies necessary to implement various instructional initiatives guided by the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards and Georgia Performance Standards. All students in kindergarten through twelve grades are required to participate in the Georgia state-mandated assessments. Georgia State Board Rule 160-3-1-.07 requires that each local school system assess all students using the state board designated assessment instruments.

All tests are administered by Georgia certified educators after thoroughly being trained. The test examiners are held to high moral and ethical behavior while administering each test. The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GPSC) has guidelines in place to help govern the administration of all tests. Standard 11 specifically governs all testing activities. Please click on the link below to view in detail Standard 11 as well as sanctions for unethical behavior.

Code of Ethics including Standard 11

This Department:

  • Implements and Administers the district's assessment program
  • Provides support to all schools in the NCSS regarding Georgia State Board of Education rule 160-4-2-.11 for promotion and retention of Grade 3,5, and 8 students.
  • Facilitates district accreditation with AdvancED's Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
  • Delivers training/guidance related to the assessment program, assessment data, and accountability mandates to all stakeholders
  • Implements the processes required for students and former students relative to waivers/variances of the high school graduation assessment pursuant to the Georgia State Board of Education rule 160-1-3-.09
  • Facilitates compliance with the College and Career Ready Performance Index ( CCRPI)
  • Interacts with state and federal agencies relative to the assessment program and accountability mandates
  • Serves as lead investigative agency for testing irregularities, the Governor's Office of Student Achievement annual EOG and EOC Erasure Analysis, and any other issue associated with breaches in testing security

  • Handles assessment documents and reports including secure test materials, individual student score reports, and school/district data reports in both paper and electronic formats, including district, state, and national standardized assessments
  • The purpose of the Georgia Student Assessment Program is to measure student achievement of the state-adopted content standards and inform efforts to improve teaching and learning. Results of the assessment program are utilized to identify students failing to achieve mastery of content, to provide teachers with feedback about instructional practice, and to assist school districts in identifying strengths and weaknesses to establish priorities in planning educational programs. The assessment program includes customized summative criterion-referenced tests at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. In addition, Georgia participates in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in grades 4, 8, and 12 and administers an English language proficiency test in grades K-12. A variety of resources, including formative tools, are provided to assist parents, educators, students and the public with efforts to improve educational opportunities for students to fulfill the purpose and maintain the integrity of the statewide assessment program. 

    Contact:

    Dr. Lynn Janes
    Director of Assessment, Accountability, Research & Evaluation 
    (770)-787-1330 ext. 1216

    Dr. Ebony Smith
    Coordinator of Assessment and Accountability
    (770)-787-1330