Savannah-Chatham County reports mixed GMAS results; district outlines literacy-focused response

Superintendent Denise Watts on Friday presented results from the 2025 Georgia Milestones assessment (GMAS), saying the district saw declines in English language arts alongside gains in mathematics and science and announcing a multi-pronged literacy strategy to accelerate student learning.

Watts, identified in the presentation as the superintendent of Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools, said literacy “was established as our North Star” and cautioned that “data never lies, but it doesn't tell the whole truth either,” while urging patience for large-scale curriculum changes.

District academic staff framed the results as a mixed picture that mirrors statewide trends. Dr. Laura May, who presented the GMAS numbers, said English language arts content mastery declined across elementary (grades 3–5), middle (6–8) and high school levels; for the elementary band, 30% of students scored at the proficient-and-above level (a 3% decline), and middle grades showed 29% proficient-and-above (a 2% decline). At the high school level, Dr. May reported a 6.4-point drop in American Literature and Composition content mastery and a 7% decline in the percentage at proficient and above.

May reported stronger…