SPRINGFIELD — The Effingham County School District’s decision to maintain classroom learning during the COVID-19 pandemic has been validated by a series of standardized test scores.

The district outperformed the state in total percentage of all students scoring proficient and distinguished in all grade levels 3-8 over all content area. 

“I am extremely proud of our school district’s teachers, staff and students for the work they put in while we pushed through during a pandemic,” Superintendent Dr. Yancy Ford said. “We learned early on during the pandemic that virtual learning looked good on paper, sounded good in conversations, but there is nothing more important for a child than a great teacher being in front of students face-to-face.”

Ford and the Effingham County Board of Education opted to open classrooms at the school year and against the continuation of Zoom instruction, setting the stage for test scores that were mostly the same or higher than in 2020-21. Many school districts, on the other hand, postponed returning to classroom instruction last year.

“I am so proud of this community and my staff and students for its response to the pandemic in regard to supporting the school district as we pushed through,” Ford said. “I know it was not easy! I truly believe the students will see the benefit in the long run. I just want to say, ‘Thank you!’ ”

According to the Georgia Milestones End-of-Grade comparisons, Effingham County continued to be ranked at the top or near the top in every grade level and content area among the Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA) First District. In addition to Effingham County, the RESA First District includes Bryan County, Toombs County, Appling County, Wayne County, Bulloch County, McIntosh County, Jeff Davis County, Glynn County, Liberty County, Tattnall County, Screven County, Savannah-Chatham County, Candler County, Vidalia City, Long County and Evans County.

In grades 8-12 in the RESA First District, Effingham County ranked fourth in Algebra I, sixth in American Literature, second in Biology and fourth in U.S. History. All its scores were higher than it posted in 2020-21.

Effingham County topped the state average in all four subjects.

“We have continued to push ‘Excellence Is The Standard in Effingham County’ and our administrators and teachers will continue to seek areas for us to improve so that our students can benefit from a strong educational system,” Ford said. 

To see complete Effingham County rankings, visit:

— https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Meetings/Attachment.aspx?S=4062&AID=1419258&MID=102139

— https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Meetings/Attachment.aspx?S=4062&AID=1417905&MID=102139

— https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Meetings/Attachment.aspx?S=4062&AID=1417904&MID=102139

— https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Meetings/Attachment.aspx?S=4062&AID=1417906&MID=102139