Georgia students are continuing to make academic gains, with the latest Georgia Milestones results showing performance in several subjects now near or at levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Georgia Department of Education released updated statewide testing data Thursday. Students from third grade through high school are testing just below or at pre-pandemic levels in mathematics, science and social studies.

One of the strongest areas of improvement is mathematics. Georgia Department of Education Deputy Superintendent Allison Timberlake said math scores have increased for the third consecutive year following implementation of the state’s new K-12 mathematics standards.

The number of students classified as proficient learners in mathematics increased across every group except eighth grade, where the proficiency rate declined by one percentage point.

The results continue an improvement seen in recent years. In 2025, Georgia Milestones scores increased or remained steady on 13 of the 20 assessments administered in English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies, although many results at that time remained slightly below pre-pandemic achievement levels.

One major piece of the 2026 picture is still missing. The state has not yet released English Language Arts scores for the current testing cycle because revised ELA standards have resulted in a new standard-setting process. Those results are expected later this year, with GPB reporting they will be available in early December.

Georgia Milestones assessments are administered from third grade through high school and measure how well students have learned the knowledge and skills outlined in state academic standards.

The latest results provide another indication that Georgia students are continuing to recover academically from disruptions associated with the pandemic, particularly in mathematics, while state education officials await the new English Language Arts results later this year.