• Georgia Milestones: A Parent’s Guide

     

    What Is the Georgia Milestones Assessment System (GMAS)?

    The Georgia Milestones Assessment System is a statewide testing program that measures how well students have learned the knowledge and skills outlined in the state-adopted content standards. It includes End-of-Grade (EOG) assessments for grades 3–8 and End-of-Course (EOC) assessments for high school courses. These assessments cover core subjects: English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. ​

     

    How does GMAS differ from MAP?

    MAP and GMAS serve different purposes. MAP is given three times a year and shows how much your child is growing academically over time. It adjusts to your child's skill level and helps teachers tailor instruction to their needs. In contrast, GMAS is a state-required test given once each spring to measure how well students have mastered grade-level standards. So, while MAP focuses on individual growth and progress, GMAS provides a snapshot of grade-level achievement and contributes to school accountability. 

     

    What the Test Measures:

    • English Language Arts (Grades 3–8 & High School): Reading comprehension, writing, and language skills.

    • Mathematics (Grades 3–8 & High School): Problem-solving, conceptual understanding, and procedural skills.

    • Science (Grades 5 & 8; High School): Understanding of scientific concepts and inquiry skills.

    • Social Studies (Grade 8; High School): Knowledge of history, geography, economics, and government.

    These assessments are designed to provide a comprehensive picture of student learning and readiness for the next grade level or course.

     

    What’s on the Test:

    Georgia Milestones assessments evaluate students' proficiency in state standards through a combination of question types:​

    • Multiple-choice questions: Assess knowledge and understanding of key concepts.​

    • Constructed-response items: Require students to generate their own answers in writing.​

    • Extended writing prompts: Evaluate students' ability to organize and express their thoughts in writing.

    What Does Testing Look Like?

    Testing typically begins in the morning and assessments are often spread over multiple days, with different sections administered each day. Each testing session lasts approximately 40 to 65 minutes (ELA), 30-50 minutes (Math), and 20-30 minutes (Science).​ Short breaks are scheduled between sections to help students stay focused and reduce fatigue. After testing, students have lunch as usual and the remainder of the day may include light instructional activities, review sessions, or enrichment programs, allowing students to decompress after testing. Testing takes a week with a make up window afterwards in case students are absent or miss an assessment. 

    What the Test Is Not:

    • A Sole Determinant of Student Ability: Milestones scores are just one measure of a student's academic progress.

    • A Reflection of Student Worth: The assessments do not capture creativity, leadership, or other valuable personal attributes.

    • The Only Factor in Promotion Decisions: Promotion is based on multiple criteria, including classroom performance and teacher evaluations.

    Understanding the Results:

    After testing, you'll receive a score report detailing your child's performance, usually early summer. These levels help identify areas where students are excelling or may need additional support.  The report will indicate whether your child is:​

    • Beginning Learner: Needs substantial academic support.​

    • Developing Learner: Needs additional academic support.​

    • Proficient Learner: Demonstrates grade-level proficiency.​

    • Distinguished Learner: Exceeds grade-level expectations.​

    How Parents Can Support Their Children:

    • Encourage Regular Attendance: Consistent attendance ensures students receive the instruction needed to succeed, especially during testing week!

    • Promote a Positive Attitude: Encourage a growth mindset and reassure your child that effort leads to improvement.

    • Provide Support during Testing Week: Ensure your child gets enough sleep and eats breakfast (or gets to school early enough to eat breakfast) during testing week!

    Check out the parent resource guide on GMAS from the Georgia Department of Education here.

    Final Thoughts:

    The Georgia Milestones are not the kind of tests students can prepare for in just a few nights of studying. Because the test measures understanding built over the course of the school year, the best preparation is consistent classroom engagement and long-term learning.

    The good news? Toomer’s teachers have been preparing students all year through instruction aligned to the standards: practice in reading, writing, and problem-solving, and daily reinforcement of key academic skills. Students have also participated in several Milestones simulations to familiarize them with the test format! 

    Encourage your child to do their best, but also remind them that they are ready!  If you have questions or need further assistance, please reach out to your child's teacher or the school administration.