2018 Test Scores (Elementary & Middle) 

By Alex Saitta 

November 8, 2018 

 

One of the primary problems with standard tests is the SC Department of Education keeps changing them. As a result, it is difficult to gauge improvement year to year.  

 

For example, let's look at elementary and middle school testing, from 3rd grade to 8th grade. In 2014 they had the PASS for Math, English, Writing, Science and Social Studies. In 2015 the state went to a completely different test called ACT Aspire for all grades. This was for only one year and it added a reading segment.  In 2016 the state changed to SC Ready for math and English and PASS for science and social studies. The reading and writing segments were dropped, and they also dropped testing 3rd grade science and social studies.In 2017 they did SC Ready and PASS for the same subjects, but changed the cut scores. In 2018 they stuck with SC Ready and Pass for the same subjects. However, tested math and English in 3rd through 8th, but only tested science in only 4th and 8th grades only. They tested social studies in only 5th and 7th grades only. I do not know how the school district is saying academics are improving, because it is very difficult to find consistency in these standard tests year to year from 2014 through 2018.  

 

As a result, this year I’m focusing on the math and English scores, in particular the percentage of students who tested at or above grade level. For example, when I look at Ambler elementary, in 3rd grade 66.7% tested at or above grade level in English, 4th grade 50.7% and 5th grade 51.6%. In math, in 3rd grade 62.2% tested at or above grade level; 4th grade 62.0% and in 5th grade 62.5%.  

 

Averaging those six figures, 59.3% of the students tested at or above grade level in math and English. Here are those math and English averages for all elementary and middle schools in order.  

 

Elementary Schools: 

Clemson: 78.9% 

Forest Acres: 64.1% 

Six Mile 61.6% 

Ambler: 59.3% 

East End: 58.0% 

West End: 52.7% 

Dacusville: 52.5% 

Central: 48.4% 

Hagood: 48.0% 

Liberty: 47.2% 

Crosswell: 45.7% 

Pickens: 43.0% 

Chastain: 37.9% 

McKissick 33.2% 

 

Middle Schools: 

Edwards: 55.5% 

Gettys: 40.3% 

Dacusville: 39.7% 

Pickens: 38.6% 

Liberty: 32.4% 

 

It looks to me overall averages were pulled down by high special ed populations in Edwards, Gettys, Pickens and Liberty Middle schools. When you look at the SDPC, in English we ranked an average of 17th in the state of about 82 districts in the state. In math we ranked 15th in the state.   

 

By the way the Youth Leadership Academy middle school scored 65.4%. Legacy’s middle school scored 41.6%.  

 

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