Assessments show S.C. students falling short

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S.C. students are continuing to fall short of benchmarks used to keep them on track for graduation, according to the state's top educator.

The S.C. Department of Education released the 2017-18 school year results today for the S.C. Palmetto Assessment of State Standards and the S.C. College- and Career-Ready Assessments given to elementary and middle school grade levels.

S.C. Pass includes tests in science and social studies. Science testing was administered statewide to students grades four, six and eight. Social studies testing was administered to students grades five and seven.

Results showed 69.9% of fifth-grade students either met or exceeded expectations on the social studies assessment. That is a drop from 70.9% in 2016-17. Seventh-grade students improved from last year, with 66.4% either meeting or exceeding expectations compared with 63.5%.

“The results of these assessments, while just one measure of success, show that despite growth in many areas, we are still falling short of the benchmarks set to ensure our young learners are prepared and on track,” State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman said in a news release. “We will continue to work hand in hand with South Carolina teachers so they have the tools and resources to help students grow academically in their classrooms and ultimately produce high school graduates that are ready for the next step.”

The College- and Career-Ready Assessments, known as SC Ready, are statewide assessments in English language arts and mathematics. Students in grades three through eight are required to take the assessments.

Each grade level showed improvement in the number of students either meeting or exceeding expectations in both English and math, except eighth-grade language arts, which fell from 40.1% to 39.2%. For full English results click here and full math results click here.

“We have high expectations for South Carolina students,” Spearman said. “Through quality instruction and support from parents and community, each student has the potential to be successful.”