South Carolina Schools Show Improvement in Annual Report Cards

Educational outcomes in South Carolina have shown marked improvement according to the latest school report cards released for the 2024-2025 academic year. The number of schools rated as “good” or “excellent” has risen from 549 in the previous year to 623 this year. Additionally, schools rated “below average” have decreased from 186 to 145, while the count of “unsatisfactory” schools has dropped from 49 to 31. These figures, reported by The Post and Courier journalists Anna Mitchell, Ian Grenier, and Valerie Nava, indicate significant progress in the state’s education system.

Despite this positive trend, challenges remain. The 31 unsatisfactory schools and 145 below-average schools highlight continued areas of concern. Furthermore, the persistent issue of chronic absenteeism affects many students, and a notable number of high school graduates are not adequately prepared for either employment or higher education.

Standardized Testing and Accountability

The improvements in school ratings can largely be attributed to standardized test scores released in September 2024, which displayed impressive gains in reading. Efforts are also underway to bolster math education. These report cards are intended to evaluate the performance of individual schools and districts, providing insights into how effectively they serve various student demographics, including third graders, economically disadvantaged children, and students with disabilities.

This approach reflects the intent behind South Carolina’s Education Accountability Act, which aimed to establish clear expectations for educational outcomes, predating the federal No Child Left Behind law. While the federal initiative faced its own set of challenges and has undergone significant revisions, the foundational concept remains vital: report cards serve as tools for identifying and rectifying inadequacies within the educational system.

Action Steps for Improvement

To address the obstacles faced by struggling schools, it is essential for state and local leaders to implement targeted interventions. Long-term enhancements, such as improved early childhood education and more effective reading instruction, take time to develop. However, immediate actions are necessary to ensure that no child falls through the cracks. This may involve revising teaching methods for specific student groups, enhancing support for teachers, and potentially changing school leadership where required.

In the most challenged schools, it is critical that state resources are allocated effectively to enhance teaching quality. Additionally, school districts must prioritize directing resources and top educators to underperforming schools. Currently, the Charleston County School District is the only district actively employing a modified approach to this strategy, which underscores a need for broader implementation across the state.

As the number of failing schools continues to decline, South Carolina has an opportunity to be more proactive and responsive in supporting schools that are not meeting educational standards. The time has come for decisive action to ensure that all students receive the quality education they deserve. The ongoing improvements in school report cards offer a hopeful outlook, but they must be met with a commitment to address the persistent challenges that remain.