To the relief of many students, parents, and educators across Georgia, the State Board of Education (SBOE) voted today to withdraw its recommendation of a 10% course grade weight for Georgia Milestones End-of-Course (EOC) exams in 2020-21 and to post State School Superintendent Richard Woods’ original recommendation of a .01% weight for public comment. 

Cobb Schools leaders, parents, and teachers were among the group calling on the State Board to reverse course on End-of-Course tests. 

“I greatly appreciate the decision made by the State Board of Education today. I think it is the right decision for now when our students and families face an unprecedented pandemic. I do not think the decision will be the same for future school years, but for right now, in 2020, they absolutely made the right decision,” said Cobb Schools Superintendent Chris Ragsdale. 

Walton High School principal, Dr. Catherine Mallanda, and Cobb County leaders, teachers, and parents attended the State Board of Education meeting to explain how keeping a high course grade weight for End-of-Course tests could negatively impact Cobb students. 

In order to take an End-of-Course test, students enrolled in full remote learning would be required to go on campus to take the test on campus, receive an incomplete grade, or receive a 0. Students who do not take an End-of-Course test could see negative impacts on their GPA’s, college applications, and even scholarships during a school year marred by COVID-19. 

The State School Superintendent originally proposed the .01% weight at the SBOE’s October meeting. After Georgia’s request to waive standardized testing requirements for 2020-21 was denied by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. In a split vote at that meeting, the SBOE voted to reject Superintendent Woods’ recommendation and post a 10% weight for public comment.  

Following a public-comment period that saw large majorities of Georgians, including leaders from Cobb Schools who were asked to provide input, support the original .01% proposal, the State Board of Education voted today to withdraw its 10% recommendation. The .01% recommendation will be posted for public comment for 30 days as legally required. 

It is important to note that the State Board’s vote does not need to occur before a student tests for the .01% weight to apply. If the State Board votes to approve the .01% weight in December, districts may recalculate course grades for students who have already tested.  

When the Georgia Department of Education surveyed Georgians on how they wanted the End-of-Course Exams weighted for 2020-21, most respondents (86.31%) voted to decrease the test’s weight to .01%. 

The board will vote on the updated proposal in December.