The Hall County school system met or exceeded standards in seven of eight content areas on End of Course Tests administered this past winter.

The results "contain some encouraging data" and serve as "a source of information that will allow us to continue to improve in all areas," said Gordon Higgins, spokesman for the school district.

The state-sponsored tests are administered to students at the end of the semester in Algebra I, geometry, U.S. history, economics/business/free enterprise, biology, physical science, ninth grade literature and composition, and American literature and composition.

Students’ scores count toward 15 percent of their final grade.

Gainesville’s scores weren’t immediately known.

For more information about the EOCT, visit www.doe.k12.ga.us/ci_testing.aspx?PageReq=CI_TESTING_EOCT.