GA State Superintendent celebrates SCCPSS literacy achievement

Joseph Schwartzburt, Savannah Morning News
·2 min read
GA State Superintendent Richard Woods shows off literacy banner to Andrea B. Williams Elementary students
GA State Superintendent Richard Woods shows off literacy banner to Andrea B. Williams Elementary students

Georgia Department of Education (GDOE) State School Superintendent Richard Woods visited Andrea B. Williams Elementary School Thursday. His appearance recognized Georgia Milestones Assessment System (GMAS) gains made by the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS) between 2022 and 2023.

Woods presented A.B. Williams Elementary with a banner for Literacy Leadership and recognized seven other schools with flags for academic growth in literacy. Teachers and administrators from the schools were present to accept the banner.

GA State Superintendent Richard Woods presents a Literacy Banner to one of seven elementary schools who improved their literacy scores by 15 % or more
GA State Superintendent Richard Woods presents a Literacy Banner to one of seven elementary schools who improved their literacy scores by 15 % or more

Each of the following schools saw an increase of 15% or more in their GMAS reading scores at the third-grade level. Third grade is seen as a pivotal development point for children, especially regarding literacy.

  • Virginia Head Elementary

  • Jacob G. Smith Elementary

  • Largo-Tibet Elementary

  • New Hampstead K-8

  • Brock Elementary

  • Rice Creek K8

  • West Chatham Elementary

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GA State Superintendent Richard Woods presents a Literacy Banner to members of Heard Elementary faculty
GA State Superintendent Richard Woods presents a Literacy Banner to members of Heard Elementary faculty

“I was a high school social studies teacher,” said Woods. “I can teach content, but I realized early on in my career, that kid’s having the ability to read is exceptionally important. And I think for any of us in education, we can agree that reading is the most important skill that our kids should be able to graduate with.”

While overall SCCPSS district reading scores went from 28.51% in 2022 to 40.67% in 2023, there are definite areas for improvement. At the high school level, statewide GMAS scores were at 38.9 % proficient and above for American Literature and 37.1 % proficient and above for US History.

Statewide English Language Arts (ELA) scores were as follows:

Grade level

% Proficient or Above

3

38.6

4

36.1

5

41.6

6

39.2

7

39.1

8

42.1

Given SCCPSS's gains, Woods stated that he wanted other districts in the state to look to Savannah and Chatham County schools as "a resource and a literacy leader in the state."

Joseph Schwartzburt is the education and workforce development reporter for Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at jschwartzburt@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: state superintendent visits savannah