- 2010 Goal release shows SC school and students succeeding amid challenges
- SC ranked 11th of 15 states reporting on-time high school graduation using same calculation methodology
- Release Date:
- Friday, December 05, 2008
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Contact:
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Dana Yow
South Carolina Education Oversight Committee
(803) 734-6164
danay@eoc.sc.gov
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Press Release:
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Columbia – The South Carolina Education Oversight Committee (EOC) will present Monday its annual report on South Carolina’s effort to reach the 2010 goal, which states that “by the year 2010, South Carolina’s student achievement will be ranked in the top half of states nationally.” The goal, established in 1998, further states that South Carolina “must become one of the five fastest improving systems in the country.”
Dr. Kristi Woodall, Vice-Chairman of the EOC, will present South Carolina’s progress and ranking on national measures. “This is an opportunity for us to provide evidence that amid challenges, SC students and schools have much of which to be proud,” stated Dr. Woodall.
South Carolina’s standing among states on students graduating from high school on-time is highlighted in this year’s release. Graduation rate is a measure that historically has been difficult to compare because states have various ways of calculating high school graduation rates. SC is one of 15 states that currently report data using the “compact cohort rate,” methodology agreed upon by the nations’ governors in 2005. Of the 15 states, SC ranks 11th, ahead of Arizona, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island.
“We believe these data are far from complete,” stated Woodall. “However, we see signs of progress on this important measure.”
The most recent results from the Nation’s Report Card, or the National Assessment of Education Progress, show South Carolina slipping in rankings for math and reading. On three out of the six NAEP comparisons, South Carolina was one of the five fastest improving systems in the country. Items of note include:
- 4th grade Math – the Nation’s Report Card (2007)
SC ranked 33rdth in the nation.
Seven-year improvement (2000-2007) sixth largest jump nationwide.
- 8th grade Math – the Nation’s Report Card (2007)
SC ranked 28th in the nation.
Seven-year improvement (2000-2007) largest jump nationwide.
- 4th grade Science – the Nation’s Report Card (2005)
SC ranked 33rd in the nation.
Five-year improvement (2000-2005) largest jump nationwide.
- 8th grade Science – the Nation’s Report Card (2005)
SC ranked 30th in the nation.
Five-year improvement (2000-2005) third largest jump nationwide.
South Carolina’s reading performance, in both the 4th and 8th grades, slipped from 2003. Based on data from the 2007 4th grade reading assessment, SC ranks 42nd in the nation in a comparison of average scale scores nationwide. In 8th grade reading, SC ranks 41st nationwide.
Woodall emphasized the importance of reading, identifying it as the most critical area of academic need in South Carolina. “Without a foundation in reading, we cannot expect our students to succeed in other disciplines in school and beyond,” stressed Woodall.
State NAEP assessments in reading, math, and science administered in 2008 will be reported in 2009.
Data regarding SAT and ACT, two college admissions tests given nationwide, are presented in the report. Although South Carolina’s ten-year improvement on the SAT, reflects a gain of 34 points, SC ranks 47th among states on the SAT and ACT. Sixty-one percent of SC high school graduates took the SAT in 2008, and 44 percent of high school graduates took the ACT in 2008.
South Carolina continues to rank in the top half of states nationally in both participation in and passage of Advanced Placement Courses. These are nationally recognized for their challenging curricula. Most colleges and universities award college credit to students who score a 3 or above on AP end-of-course exams. Points related to AP include:
- SC’s AP participation rank (21st) was determined in a comparison of the percent of 2007 public high school graduates, as reported by the College Board. In 2007, 23 percent of that group in SC took an AP exam in high school. Between 2002 and 2007, SC’s rate of participation increased 1.8 points; and
- SC’s AP passage rank (22nd) was determined in a comparison of the percent of students in the public high school graduating class of 2007 who scored a 3 or higher on an AP exam at any point during high school. In 2007, 13.3 percent of graduates in SC scored a 3 or higher on an AP exam. Between 2002 and 2007, SC’s passage rate increased 0.6 of a percentage point.
Included in the release are data regarding the achievement gap that exists among students of different racial/ethnic groups and different economic status. Stressing that the gaps “remain persistent,” Woodall pointed to comparisons made on the Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test (PACT), Advanced Placement participation and passage, on-time graduation rate, as well as gaps on the SAT and ACT.
Improvement in reducing the gap in performance in PACT English Language Arts occurred from 2000 to 2008 between white and African American students, as well as pay and free/reduced price lunch students; however, the gaps in both areas increased from 2007.
From 2004 to 2008, improvement occurred in the on-time graduation gap between white and African American students, as well as white and Hispanic students. In AP performance, Woodall pointed out that the gap between white and African American students has narrowed nearly three points in eleven years.
Woodall urged school administrators, teachers, parents, community leaders, and policy makers to use the data released in the 2010 report and the upcoming annual school and district report cards, as catalysts to make an impact in the lives of South Carolina’s children.
“We must use these data to set priorities, make decisions, and foster change and improvement,” Woodall said. “Ultimately, the decisions we make should lead to what is best for young people.”
The SC Education Oversight Committee is an independent, non-partisan group made up of 18 educators, business persons, and elected leaders. Created in 1998, the committee is dedicated to reporting facts, measuring change, and promoting progress within South Carolina’s education system.
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