The A+ Educational Reform Act of 2000, O.C.G.A. §20-2-281, mandates that the State Board of Education adopt end-of-course assessments in grades nine through twelve for core subjects to be determined by the State Board of Education. With educator input, and State Board approval, the End-of-Course Testing program is therefore comprised of the following eight content area assessments:
Mathematics
Algebra I
Geometry
Social Studies
United States History
Economics/Business/Free Enterprise
Science
Biology
Physical Science
English Language Arts
Ninth Grade Literature and Composition
American Literature and Composition
There are three main administrations of the EOCT each school year beginning with the fall of 2003. The EOCT will be administered during the fall/winter, spring, and summer.
GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION TESTS (GHSGT)
Georgia’s graduation tests provide valuable information for students, educators, and parents about student strengths and areas for improvement. The tests identify students who may need additional instruction in the content and skills required for a diploma. Since 2004, the English Language Arts and Math high school graduation tests have been used to measure Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) under the No Child Left Behind legislation.
All students seeking a Georgia high school diploma must pass the Georgia High School Graduation Tests (GHSGT) in four content areas as well as the Georgia High School Writing Assessment. These assessments ensure that students qualifying for a diploma have mastered essential core academic content and skills. Students with disabilities and English Language Learners may receive appropriate accommodations based on their needs and the specifications of their Individualized Education Program, their Individual Accommodation Plan, or their ELL Testing Participation Committee plan. Students with disabilities unable to participate in the state testing program, even with accommodations, are assessed with the Georgia Alternate Assessment.
PSAT & SAT
The Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) is published by The College Board as a tenth or eleventh grade practice instrument for students taking the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) in the eleventh and twelfth grades. The College Board sponsors the AP program with technical operational services provided by Educational Testing Services (ETS) in Princeton, New Jersey. The PSAT is designed to help students identify academic strengths and weaknesses in preparation for their last two years of high school. The decision to participate in PSAT administration is made at the local school system level. Where the PSAT is administered, student participation varies from all students in a system's targeted grade level to voluntary student participation. Since 1997, state funds have paid for the PSAT administration to all 10th grade students in Georgia's public schools. In 1999, over 65,000 tenth graders participated in the PSAT program.
The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), is administered by the College Board and is designed to measure verbal and quantitative reasoning skills, developed over many years of education, that are related to academic performance in college. SAT scores are intended primarily to help forecast the college academic performance of individual students. Because SAT scores are statistically controlled to maintain the same meaning from year-to-year, and because the SAT-taker population is relatively stable from year-to year, this report can be used to:
interpret SAT Program scores of individual students within the broader context of data aggregated across groups of college-bound seniors;
study changes over time in the characteristics of students taking SAT Program tests;
look at year-to-year educational and demographic changes in this population, along with changes in test performance.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS
Through college-level AP courses, you enter a universe of knowledge that might otherwise remain unexplored in high school; through AP Exams, you have the opportunity to earn credit or advanced standing at most of the nation's colleges and universities. The first AP exam is free of charge. If a student wants to take AP exams in additional courses, the cost is $82 per exam. AP students at Lakeside are strongly encouraged to take the exams after completing each AP course!
Why Participate?
With 18 course offerings at Lakeside, AP offers something for everyone. The only requirements are a strong curiosity about the subject you plan to study and the willingness to work hard. Here are just a few reasons to sign up:
Gain the Edge in College Preparation
Get a head start on college-level work.
Improve your writing skills and sharpen your problem-solving techniques.
Develop the study habits necessary for tackling rigorous course work.
Stand Out in the College Admissions Process
Demonstrate your maturity and readiness for college.
Show your willingness to push yourself to the limit.
Emphasize your commitment to academic excellence.
Broaden Your Intellectual Horizons
Explore the world from a variety of perspectives, most importantly your own.
Study subjects in greater depth and detail.
Assume the responsibility of reasoning, analyzing, and understanding for yourself.
How Do I Enroll?
Once you've decided to take the AP challenge it's easy to enroll.
Talk to a Lakeside AP teacher about the course you want to take. Discuss the course's workload and any preparation you might need.
