Assessments & Schedule

Testing and Assessment, as part of the Performance Division, communicates testing procedures and protocols, develops and implements testing programs, and provides analysis of data to inform instruction for schools within APS, while acting as primary accountability liaison between schools, the district and the Georgia Department of Education (GADOE).

As testing professionals, we understand the need for well-constructed, timely assessments to measure the understanding and progress of our students and help our teachers refine teaching practices. Over the course the school year, your child will be given a number tests, quizzes, and exams to help in those endeavors. Included among them will be the below national, state, and district-mandated assessments. Expanding each assessment will display information related to that assessment, which students participate, and when and how each assessment is administered.

Contact us: assessment@atlanta.k12.ga.us

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Dec 21 2025 - Aug 14 2026

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Assessments

Georgia Milestones

The Georgia Milestones Assessment System (Georgia Milestones) is a comprehensive summative assessment program spanning grades 3 through high school. Georgia Milestones measures how well students have learned the knowledge and skills outlined in the state-adopted content standards in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. The Georgia Milestones Assessment System is designed to provide information about how well students are mastering the state-adopted content standards in the core content areas of language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Importantly, Georgia Milestones is designed to provide students with critical information about their own achievement and their readiness for their next level of learning. Informing parents, educators, and the public about how well students are learning important content is an essential aspect of any educational assessment and accountability system.

Who takes this assessment?

Grades 3, 4, 6, and 7 take End-of-Grade (EOG) assessments in the content areas of language arts and mathematics.
Grades 5 takes End-of-Grade (EOG) assessments in the content areas of language arts, mathematics, and science.
Grade 8 takes End-of-Grade (EOG) assessments in the content areas of language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.
High School students (and middle school students taking an EOC assessed course) must take an End-of-Course (EOC) assessment corresponding with a core credit language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies course. Georgia Milestones EOC Courses 2025-2026

When/how frequently is it taken?

Students in grades 3-8 participate in End-of-Grade (EOG) assessments annually in the spring.
Middle and High school students who are enrolled in a course with a corresponding End-of-Course (EOC) assessment will take it at the completion of the course, regardless of the grade level.

How is it administered?

EOG and EOC assessments are administered online unless the student cannot interact with a computer due to their disability. Decisions regarding the mode of administration must be made by an IEP team.

Georgia Alternate Assessment (GAA)

The Georgia Alternate Assessment (GAA) is designed for students with significant cognitive disabilities who are unable to participate meaningfully in the Georgia Milestones assessments, even with accommodations. The GAA provides a way for these students to demonstrate what they know and can do in relation to state standards, using an assessment approach that matches their individual learning needs. Results help families and educators understand student progress and support planning for future instruction and success.

Who takes this assessment?

For students with disabilities, each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) team determines how the student shall participate in Georgia’s student assessment program. If a student’s IEP team determines that a student cannot meaningfully access the Georgia Milestones Assessment System, even with maximum appropriate accommodations, then the student must participate in the GAA 2.0. This is an individually administered assessment.

Grades 3, 4, 6, and 7 will be assessed in language arts and mathematics.
Grade 5 will be assessed in language arts, mathematics, and science.
Grades 8 and 11 will be assessed in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.

When/how frequently is it taken?

Students in grades 3-8 and 11 participate in GAA assessments annually in the spring.

How is it administered?

This assessment is administered individually.

Georgia Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (GKIDS)

GKIDS Readiness Check and Georgia Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (GKIDS)

GKIDS Readiness Check

The GKIDS Readiness Check is a component of the Georgia Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (GKIDS). It is designed to be administered during the first six weeks of the kindergarten year. The GKIDS Readiness Check is aligned to the Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards (GELDS ) and correlated to the state mandated content standards for kindergarten. The goal of the assessment is to provide information about the skills of students entering kindergarten.

The primary purpose of the GKIDS Readiness Check is to highlight knowledge and skills critical for student success in learning – solely to guide instruction.

The GKIDS Readiness Check is designed to be developmentally appropriate, reflecting research-based best practices for young learners, and will provide information that allows kindergarten teachers to individualize student instruction.

Georgia Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (GKIDS)

The primary purpose of GKIDS is to provide ongoing diagnostic information about kindergarten students’ developing skills in English Language Arts, Math, Personal/Social Development, and Approaches to Learning. GKIDS provides a summary of student performance in English Language Arts and Mathematics at the end of the kindergarten school year. GKIDS should serve as one indicator of first grade readiness.

Who takes this assessment?

All kindergarten students.

When is it administered?

GKIDS Readiness Check occurs during the first 30 days of school.
GKIDS is a year-long, performance-based assessment.

How is it administered?

GKIDS operates under a flexible model of assessment. By this we mean that GKIDS does not have specified assessment activities. The teacher decides which assessment activities to use and how frequently to assess. Teachers may use assessment activities that cover multiple elements at one time and/or assess multiple children in a single setting. Teachers may assess by observing student performance during the course of regular classroom instruction or by an assessment activity of the teacher’s choice. Because teachers have the freedom to assess according to the individual needs of each student, standard accommodations are allowed if the accommodations are a part of the student’s IEP, IAP, or ELL/TPC plan.

WIDA ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS for English Learners

ACCESS for ELLs is an English language proficiency test designed to measure English learners’ social and academic proficiency in English. This assessment is used to determine the English language proficiency levels and progress of ELs in the domains of listening, reading, speaking, and writing. Results give families and teachers helpful information about a student’s growth in language skills and guide decisions about the support and services needed to help them succeed in the classroom and beyond.

Who takes this assessment?

English language learners (ELLs) in Grades K - 12.

When is this assessment administered?

The ACCESS for ELLs assessment window is open annually from early January to late February.

How is it administered?

Kindergarten: individual paper administration.
Grades 1 - 3: online administration for listening, reading, and speaking domains; paper for writing domain.
Grades 4 - 12: online administration.

Paper assessments are available for students who cannot participate online due to their disability. In addition, students with severe cognitive disabilities may qualify for an Alternate ACCESS individual paper administration. These determinations will be made by an IEP team.

Alternate ACCESS for ELLs

Alternate ACCESS for ELLs is an individually administered test intended only for English learners with significant cognitive disabilities that are severe enough to prevent meaningful participation in the ACCESS for ELLs assessment. Decisions regarding a student's participation must be made by an IEP team.

NWEA MAP

NWEA MAP Growth Overview
The NWEA MAP Growth assessments are computer-based tests that measure student progress and growth over time. The test adapts to each student’s responses, becoming easier or harder depending on how they answer, which gives a clear picture of what they already know and what they’re ready to learn next. Many schools use MAP in reading and math, and some also include science. Results provide families and teachers with valuable insights to guide instruction and support student success.

MAP Reading
MAP Reading assesses a student’s skills in areas like vocabulary, comprehension, and literary analysis. The adaptive format helps identify both strengths and areas where students may need more practice, giving teachers the information they need to personalize reading instruction.

MAP Math
MAP Math measures student understanding in key areas such as numbers, operations, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. By adapting to each student’s level, it helps show growth over time and supports targeted math instruction.

MAP Science
In schools that use it, MAP Science evaluates knowledge in life, earth, and physical sciences. It helps teachers and families see how students are building their understanding of scientific concepts and processes over time.

Who takes this assessment and when is it administered?

Grades K - 8 participate in MAP assessments in Fall and Winter.
Grades 9 - 10 participate in MAP assessments in Fall

Schools may elect to participate in an optional assessment window in Spring.

How is it administered?

MAP is an online assessment.

AMIRA Dyslexia Screener

The Amira Dyslexia Screener is a quick, computer-based assessment that helps identify students who may be at risk for dyslexia or other reading difficulties. During the test, students wear headphones and read aloud into the computer while Amira listens and responds using advanced speech recognition. The program guides students through engaging tasks that measure key early literacy skills such as letter recognition, phonemic awareness, and decoding. Results give teachers and families valuable insight into how a child is developing as a reader and help guide early support so students can build a strong foundation for lifelong reading success.

Who takes this assessment?

All students in grades K - 3.

When is this assessment administered?

Three times each year - Fall (Beginning of Year), Winter (Middle of Year), and Spring (End of Year).

How is it administered?

Amira is an online assessment.

Write Score

Write Score is a writing assessment that gives students the opportunity to practice real-world writing tasks and receive detailed feedback on their work. Students respond to prompts that are carefully matched to their grade level, and trained scorers evaluate the writing using state standards. Results highlight strengths and areas for growth in skills such as grammar, organization, clarity, and idea development, helping teachers tailor instruction to student needs.

Early Grades (1–2): Write Score is often given in a paper-and-pencil format, with prompts and tasks tailored to younger learners who are still developing basic writing and keyboarding skills.
Elementary School (Grades 3–5): Students complete age-appropriate writing prompts designed to build foundational skills in organizing ideas, supporting arguments, and using correct grammar and mechanics.
Middle School (Grades 6–8): Prompts increase in complexity, requiring students to analyze texts, write with evidence, and develop more sophisticated arguments or narratives.
High School (Grades 9–12): Students are challenged with higher-level tasks that reflect college- and career-readiness expectations, such as argumentative and informative essays using multiple sources.

This progression ensures that the test grows with students, providing meaningful feedback at every stage of their academic journey.

College Board Assessments

The College Board assessments help students prepare for college and beyond. The PSAT and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) give students practice with the SAT while also opening doors to scholarship opportunities. The SAT is a widely accepted college entrance exam that measures skills in reading, writing, math, and problem-solving. These tests provide students, families, and schools with valuable insight into college readiness, and they can play an important role in college admissions, scholarships, and future planning.

Who takes the assessments and when are they administered?

PSAT 8/9 - Grade 8, Fall
PSAT NMSQT - Grade 10 - 11, Fall
SAT School Day - Grade 11, Spring

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) provides important information about student academic achievement and learning experiences in various subjects. Also known as The Nation’s Report Card, NAEP has provided meaningful results to improve education policy and practice since 1969. NAEP is a congressionally mandated program that is overseen and administered by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), within the U.S. Department of Education and the Institute of Education Sciences. The National Assessment Governing Board, an independent body appointed by the Secretary of Education, sets NAEP policy.

Who takes this assessment?

Only NAEP selected schools participate.
Grades 4, 8 and 12 are assessed; results are only calculated in Georgia for grades 4 and 8.
Long term trend assessments are given every four years to students aged 9, 13 and 17. This assessment tracks changes in national achievement over time.

When is it taken?

Reading and mathematics assessments with state results are given every two years. One other subject is usually assessed during the state years also. The other subjects have included science and writing. The alternate years have national results only.

How is it administered?

NAEP digital assessments, which are administered on tablets or laptop computers, use dynamic and innovative technologies to provide an engaging assessment experience for students and more meaningful data about students’ skills and knowledge for educators. With digitally based assessments, students are asked to receive, gather, and report information just as they do in their everyday lives. These new assessments include universal design principles, making it possible for more students to participate without special accommodation sessions. The goal is for all students to have a seamless assessment administration, regardless of their ability.

What is it like for students and schools to participate in NAEP?

NAEP is administered to students during regular school hours. Each student is assessed in one subject area. Students spend between 90 and 120 minutes taking the assessment, including time to complete a survey questionnaire.
NAEP representatives will bring all necessary materials, including tablets or laptops for digitally based assessments, to the schools on assessment day.
Allowable accommodations are provided as necessary for students with disabilities and/or English learners.
Student responses on NAEP are private, and the privacy of each participating school and student is essential.