Today, the South Carolina Department of Education released the 2016-2017 school year assessment results of The South Carolina Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (SCPASS) and The South Carolina College-and Career-Ready Assessments (SC READY), examinations given in the elementary and middle school grade levels. The results of the End of Course Examination Program (EOCEP), tests taken for high school core courses, are also being released.
"South Carolina has done a tremendous job in raising the level of rigor and expectations for all of our students through our homegrown college and career-ready standards and assessments, " said State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman.
"The results of these assessments show that while we have set the bar high for all students, we are not doing enough to support them and provide them with the resources and knowledge to attain their full potential. We must work together as parents, educators, and communities to address this issue and ultimately ensure our students graduate prepared for success."
SCPASS
The South Carolina Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (SCPASS) is a statewide assessment that was administered to students in grades four through eight during the 2016-2017 school year. SCPASS includes tests in two subjects: science and social studies that are aligned to South Carolina’s rigorous science and social studies standards .
During the 2017 legislative session, the South Carolina General Assembly passed and Governor McMaster signed, Act. 94 , which provides that beginning in the 2017-2018 school year the SC PASS assessment will be administered to students in grades four, six, and eight for science and grades five and seven for social studies.
Achievement standards for science were reset for the 2016-17 school year. Science scores are now reported in four achievement categories, Does Not Meet Expectations, Approaches Expectations, Meets Expectations, and Exceeds Expectations. The achievement level descriptors are the same as those for the 2016-2017 SC READY assessment. Social studies achievement standards are unchanged and continue to be reported in three categories.
SC READY
The South Carolina College-and Career-Ready Assessments (SC READY) are statewide assessments in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics that are 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 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.
Scale scores in 2016-17 are reported on a new, vertical scale. These scores are not comparable to 2015-16 scale scores. However, criteria for the achievement levels have not changed. Percentages of students at each achievement level are comparable to corresponding 2015-16 percentages.
EOCEP
The End-of-Course Examination Program (EOCEP) provides tests in high school core courses and for courses taken in middle school for high school credit. The EOCEP tests in the following subject areas: Algebra 1; English 1; US History and the Constitution; and Biology 1.
State, School District, and School Level Data for the above assessments can be accessed by visiting this link .
