Gwinnett Eighth Graders Excel on Writing Test

The Gwinnett County passing rate on the Grade 8 State Writing Test improved to 93 percent in 2011 according to Gwinnett County Public Schools.

Almost 12,000 eighth graders took the test in 2011. Of those, 14 percent scored in the “Exceeds” performance level compared to only 5 percent statewide.

The writing test is designed to test student literacy skills in the categories of ideas, organization, style and conventions from either an expository or persuasive prompt. According to GCPS, these skills are an essential part of an academic program of college and career readiness.

In Gwinnett, students must meet or exceed state standards in order to be promoted to ninth grade. Other promotion requirements include passing five of six courses including language arts and math and meeting state standards on the CRCT.

Students who fail to pass on their first attempt are allowed to retest prior to the beginning of summer school. Students who do not pass the retest may attend summer school and test again at the end of the session.