Growth and Achievement

Growth and Achievement: you have probably heard these terms in conversations about education. But what are they? How do they differ, and what do they tell us about North Carolina's students and teachers?

What are achievement and growth?

Growth and achievement measures help determine whether students are on track for career or college while identifying best practices and excellent educators. So how does the state define these measures?

ACHIEVEMENT

What is Academic Achievement?

Academic achievement is whether or not students have scored at a level that indicates that they consistently demonstrate mastery of the content standards. On North Carolina’s End-of-Grade and End-of-Course assessments, students are considered proficient if they score a Level III.

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

GROWTH

What is Student Growth?

Student growth is the amount of academic progress that students make over the course of a grade or class. Students enter grades and course at different places; some have struggled while some have excelled. Regardless of how they enter a grade or course, students can make progress over the course of the school year.

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

MEASURING GROWTH

How is Student Growth Measured?

North Carolina’s Content Standards Are Diverse. Our assessments must be as well. The State uses multiple assessments and processes to measure student learning:

  • End-of-Grade, End-of-Course and CTE State Assessments
  • NC Final Exams
  • Analysis of Student Work
  • K-3 Reading Checkpoints

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

NC School Report Cards

Growth and achievement measures are used in many ways. Both growth and achievement for North Carolina schools and districts can be found on the NC DPI School Report Cards.

Additional Resources

Learn more about North Carolina's growth-added measures and student data analysis.