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Beaufort County School District makes gains in State assessment results with highest ELA scores in district’s history

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023

BEAUFORT – Today, the South Carolina Department of Education released the 2022-2023 school year results for the South Carolina College and Career Ready Assessments (SC READY) examinations in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics given in grades three through eight.

As we celebrate the district’s record gains in ELA since the inception of the assessment, we remain committed to continuous improvement and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive academically in all subject areas.

Dr. Frank Rodriguez

“These results, released by the South Carolina Department of Education today, reflect the dedication and hard work of district students, teachers, and community,” said Beaufort County School District (BCSD) Superintendent Frank Rodriguez. “As we celebrate the district’s record gains in ELA since the inception of the assessment, we remain committed to continuous improvement and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive academically in all subject areas.”

SC READY is a statewide assessment in ELA and Mathematics that is aligned to the South Carolina College and Career Ready Standards for ELA and Math. All students in grades three through eight are required to take the SC READY assessment except those who qualify for the South Carolina National Center and State Collaborative (SC-NCSC). The SC READY assessment was given for the first time in the 2015-2016 school year.

The State acknowledges Approaches Expectations, Meets Expectations, and Exceeds Expectations as proficient by awarding points toward accountability:

test scores matrix

A range of 1-3 points are awarded

District ELA Highlights:

  • BCSD achieved its highest ELA scores ever, with 88 percent of schools demonstrating increases in literacy at the Meets and Exceeds levels.
  • Seventy-six percent of Beaufort County Schools decreased in "Does Not Meet" classification.
  • Seventy-eight percent of students are proficient in ELA (Approaching, Meets, and Exceeds).
  • Twenty-one schools saw increases of three percentage points or more, with six schools showing double-digit gains in Meets and Exceeds.
  • The district saw an increase in ELA scores in all grades (3-8) and across all subgroups.

With approximately 21,500 students, 54 percent of which are in poverty, 20 percent who are multilingual learners, and 13 percent with disabilities, BCSD serves a varied population with 33 percent of students receiving special services.  As these assessments demonstrate, BCSD kindergarteners, who often start significantly behind grade level, are making substantial progress.  

Dr. Mary Stratos, BCSD Chief Instructional Services Officer, attributed this growth to “the continued efficacy of practices focused on meeting the needs of students in literacy.” One such initiative, the district’s extended learning programming through community partnerships, have yielded impressive ELA gains with some schools associated with these sites increasing more than 10 percentage points. 

District Math Highlights:

  • BCSD experienced improvements in Meets and Exceeds for Math, with 56 percent of schools showing math increases, and grades 3 and 4 demonstrating gains.
  • Sixty-nine percent of students are proficient in Math (Approaching, Meets, and Exceeds).
  • Eight schools achieved growth of three percentage points or more, with two schools demonstrating double-digit growth.
  • Fifty percent of schools decreased in Does Not Meet classification.

South Carolina State Superintendent Ellen Weaver acknowledged the need for continued improvement in math across the state, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based practices like high-dose tutoring. Ahead of this practice, BCSD’s afterschool extended learning sites with community partners have contributed to positive math outcomes, with two schools associated with these sites seeing gains of 18 to 20 percentage points. 

According to the U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, Covid has had an impact on student achievement nationally that will be felt for decades, especially in Math. Rodriguez acknowledges this challenge.

District Science Highlights

Today, the South Carolina Department of Education also released the 2022-2023 school year results for the South Carolina Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (SCPASS) in Science.

  • Forty-four percent of students scored Meets or Exceeds.
  • Sixty-seven percent of students scored Approaches, Meets, or Exceeds.  

The SCPASS is a statewide assessment program that tests students in science that are aligned to South Carolina’s science standards. Pursuant to Act 94, the SCPASS Science assessment is administered statewide to students in grades four and six. State proviso suspended Science testing for students in grade eight. SCPASS Social Studies is no longer administered.

Moving forward

State Superintendent Weaver emphasized an important reminder for interpreting SC READY and SCPASS results. “This data is a tool not a weapon. Just like a GPS app, it gives us a clear picture of where we are on the map, so that we know how to plot our course to get to where we need to go. We know we have a lot of hard work ahead to clarify our vision and align our resources to ensure that every South Carolina child graduates college, career, or military ready. It will take all of us to get the job done, and I know students, parents, teachers, and community members across the Palmetto State are up to the challenge.”

Chiefs for Change, an educational leadership organization for select superintendents around the country, has invited BCSD Superintendent Rodriguez to present the success of the district’s extended learning community partnership programs to the United States Congress later this month.

State, school district, and school level data for the SC PASS and SC READY assessments can be accessed by visiting South Carolina Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (SCPASS) and SC READY - South Carolina Department of Education.