LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Diplomas without direction
Across the three DCSS high schools, only 22.2% of students are testing at a “proficient” level; that is, performing on grade level in core subjects such as math, reading and science.
To the Editor:
In Albany, Georgia, our school system proudly boasts about a 90.1% graduation rate. On the surface, this looks like success. But dig a little deeper, and the truth tells a far more troubling story.
Across the three DCSS high schools, only 22.2% of students are testing at a “proficient” level; that is, performing on grade level in core subjects such as math, reading and science. That means nearly 8 out of 10 students are graduating without mastering the basics necessary for success in college, career or everyday life. We are handing out certificates, but not competence. This is not a victory. It is a silent crisis.
When students leave our schools unable to read well, write clearly, or solve basic math problems, they are not ready for the real world. They are being sent out without the tools to thrive, and the entire community pays the price.
Test Score Data
District Proficiency Rates
— Math: 21.0%
— Reading: 22.0%
— Science: 20.0%
State Ranking: DCSS ranks 184 out of 222 districts in Georgia, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. That places DCSS in the bottom 50% of districts in overall performance despite being in the top 50% for graduation rate.
Per Student Spending: DCSS spends $14,137 per student, higher than the state average of $13,431. The issue is not funding, it’s results.
CCRPI Score (College and Career Ready Performance Index): DCSS’ CCRPI score is 72%, but only 51.28% of students are truly college or career ready.
Understanding the Performance Levels
Georgia classifies student performance into four categories:
1. Beginning Learner – Far below grade level; requires substantial support.
2. Developing Learner – Making progress but still not on grade level.
3. Proficient Learner – On grade level and ready for the next grade or life after school.
4. Distinguished Learner – Above grade level and exceeding expectations.
When only 20-25% of our students are listed as proficient, that means the remaining 75-80% are not performing at grade level.
Let’s Break Down the Numbers:
Elementary (3rd Grade)
— English: 40% Beginning | 33.7% Developing | 20% Proficient
— Math: 29.6% Beginning | 42.8% Developing | 22.5% Proficient
— Science: 41% Beginning | 25.6% Developing | 26.1% Proficient
Out of 13 elementary schools, only three had passing grades. That’s unacceptable!
Middle School
— English: 38.3% Beginning | 32.8% Developing | 23.7% Proficient
— Math: 37.3% Beginning | 39.2% Developing | 17.3% Proficient
— Science: 47.2% Beginning | 24.2% Developing | 21.5% Proficient
— Social Studies: 38.8% Beginning | 35.2% Developing | 20.9% Proficient
— Reading on Grade Level: Only 46.35%
None of the middle schools in Dougherty County had passing academic grades.
High School
— American Literature: 41.5% Beginning | 36% Developing | 19% Proficient
— Algebra: 32.4% Beginning | 37.8% Developing | 23% Proficient
— Biology: 40.4% Beginning | 29% Developing | 25.9% Proficient
— U.S. History: 39% Beginning | 35.3% Developing | 20.3% Proficient
Again, no high school in the district received a passing academic grade.
The Cost of Complacency
Our school system’s website claims that 16 schools are “4 or 5 star” schools, yet only four schools have passing scores:
— Robert Cross Middle School
— Lake Park Elementary
— International Studies Elementary
— Lincoln Elementary
This contradiction is staggering!
We cannot continue to celebrate high graduation rates while ignoring academic failure. We are watching a generation of students fall through the cracks with diplomas in their hands but no preparation in their minds.
This kind of academic neglect doesn’t just impact test scores, it impacts the entire future of our community:
— Higher crime rates
— Lower employment opportunities
— Increased poverty
— More dependency on government assistance
— A weakened local economy
It is deeply concerning that school board members and system leaders are not publicly demanding better results from the superintendent and administrative staff. Why are we not sounding alarms? Why are we not fighting for our kids with urgency?
This is not an attack, it’s a call to action. Our students are more than numbers. They are future doctors, and they deserve an education that equips them to succeed.
We are at a crossroads. We can either keep promoting students who are unprepared, or we can do the hard work to build a system that educates, equips and empowers.
Let’s stop confusing graduation with education. Let’s stop celebrating surface-level success while ignoring silent struggles. Our children and our community deserve the truth, and they deserve better.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me at [email protected].Lawrence Knighton
Albany
Related Articles
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Passport voting requirement amounts to poll tax
Requiring a $160 fee in order to be able to vote is a poll tax, which is not lawful anymore.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Dougherty County citizens deserve answers
As qualifying wraps up and the 2026 election cycle begins, citizens deserve to reflect on what has been accomplished — and what has not.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Parents should be punished in lieu of under-age offenders
I believe that birth parents, unless relieved by a court order, should be held criminally responsible for felonies committed by their children under the age of 18.
