A DCHS student works on a Algebra problem in Michelle Hanna's Algebra 1 class with a headline "Algebra 1 Proficiency Gains"

DCSS Algebra 1 Proficiency Jumps 15 Points, Surpassing BOE's First-Year Goal

DCSS

October 7, 2026

The Douglas County Board of Education’s long-term plan to elevate secondary mathematics achievement is delivering results well ahead of schedule.

Douglas County ninth-graders posted a 48% proficiency rate on the Algebra 1 End-of-CourseDCHS math teacher Michelle Hanna works with a student in her ninth-grade Algebra class. assessment in 2025-2026, a 15 percentage-point increase over the previous year, according to recently released Georgia Milestones Assessment System data.

The Board of Education had set out to increase ninth-grade Algebra proficiency from 33% in 2024-2025 to 41% by 2025-2026 and 54% by 2030. The 48% mark surpassed the first-year goal and covered more than two-thirds of the progress needed to reach the 2030 target in just 12 months.

Superintendent Dr. Trent North praised the work of school leaders, educators and students for the results.

“When we set our district goal to reach 54% proficiency by 2030, we knew it would take intentional leadership and unwavering support across all of our schools,” Dr. North said. “Reaching 48% in our very first year — far outpacing our goal of 41% — is a testament to our building leaders and dedicated educators. They established a culture of excellence, and our students proved exactly what they can accomplish.”A DCHS student works on a problem in Michelle Hanna's ninth-grade Algebra class at DCHS.

Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. K’Asha Davis said:

“This extraordinary progress shows what can be accomplished when targeted curriculum support aligns with passionate teaching. Our educators gave students the personalized focus they needed. This accomplishment is a powerful testament to teachers' daily hard work.”

The academic gains by DCSS students were widespread, showing significant progress across every student subgroup measured by the district:

  • Black/Non-Hispanic Students: Proficiency increased from 31% to 46%.

  • Hispanic Students: Proficiency rose from 35% to 49%.

  • Asian/Pacific-Islander Students: Proficiency climbed from 63% to 87%.

  • White Students: Proficiency expanded from 46% to 56%.

  • Multiracial Students: Proficiency grew from 45% to 56%.

  • Special Populations: English Language Learners (ELL) proficiency doubled from 5% to 11%, while Program for Exceptional Children (PEC) student proficiency rose from 10% to 17%.

Foundational math growth in middle schools reinforced the high school gains, Dr. Davis said. On the iReady End-of-Year Math Diagnostic, seventh-grade English Language Learners (ELL) reached 23% proficiency in math, surpassing the district's 14% goal. Eighth-grade ELL students reached 29%, exceeding the 20% goal.

Targeted district monitoring of individualized learning paths helped drive those results, she said.

DCSS plans to continue district monitoring, work with teachers to refine mid-unit and end-of-unit assessments and encourage student self-monitoring to sustain high achievement levels.