KINDERGARTEN TO 8th GRADE
Student assessments administered between kindergarten and 8th grade include four key sets of tests.
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
National and State Achievement in Reading and Math
Grades 4 and 8
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is a federally-required assessment of what our nation’s students know and can do in subjects such as mathematics, reading, science, and writing. NAEP results provide the only true state-to-state comparison of student achievement.
The main NAEP assessments are administered to a sample of students in each state in grades four, eight and twelve. The grades four and eight math and reading assessments are administered every two years at schools selected to be representative of schools statewide. Scores are only reported at the national and state level (and for a few large school districts outside of South Carolina). Results are not reported for individual students or schools. Find out more about the NAEP at the South Carolina Department of Education or at the Nation's Report Card. Or view the SC School Report Card.
NOTE: The 2021 NAEP was postponed one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA)
A statewide assessment first conducted in the fall of 2017, the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA) is administered during the first part of the school year to all students enrolled in publicly funded kindergartens. It provides a snapshot of students’ abilities at the beginning of the school year. The KRA measures a child’s school readiness across four domains: Social Foundations, Language/Literacy, Mathematics, and Physical Well-Being. Three levels of performance are reported: Demonstrating Readiness, Approaching Readiness and Emerging Readiness. For more information visit the South Carolina Department of Education.
Second-Grade Students on Track for Third-Grade Success
Administered in the spring, assessments are given to all 2nd-graders to determine which students are on track for grade level success in English language arts and mathematics. From a set of options, school districts choose which assessments to use. Future success is defined as performing at the Meets Expectations level on SC READY tests in these subjects beginning in the third grade.
Student Achievement in Reading, Math and Science
SC READY and SCPASS
Grades 3 through 8
English Language Arts and Mathematics
In use since the 2015-16 school year, the South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Assessments (SC READY) are statewide assessments in English language arts (ELA) and mathematics for grades 3 through 8 that meet federal and state requirements. SC READY test items measure student performance on the South Carolina College-and Career-Ready Standards. (Standards outline what schools are expected to teach and what students are expected to learn.) All students in these grades are required to take the SC READY except those students with significant cognitive disabilities who qualify for the South Carolina National Center and State Collaborative (SC-NCSC) alternate assessment. For more information on SC READY visit the South Carolina Department of Education.
Science
The South Carolina Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (SCPASS) is a statewide science assessment currently administered to students in grades four and six. SCPASS test items measure student performance on the South Carolina Academic Standards. All students in these grades are required to take the SCPASS except those who qualify for the South Carolina Alternate Assessment (SC-Alt). For more information on SCPASS visit the South Carolina Department of Education.
All Three Assessments
All three assessments are administered during the last 20 days of the school year and use four achievement levels: Does Not Meet Expectations, Approaches Expectations, Meets Expectations and Exceeds Expectations. Scores presented are for those students continuously enrolled from the 45th day of classes through the first day of testing.
NOTE: These assessments were not administered in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
NOTE –
For KRA, “2nd Grade” and SC READY/SCPASS, results for 2020 and 2021 “should not be compared to those of other years due to the testing limitations as a result of the pandemic. In addition, these results may be incomplete and may not be representative of the make-up of the State, district, or school population.” (SC School Report Card)
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
Source: “The Nation’s Report Card" (online: https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/).
Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA)
Source: SC School Report Card (online: https://screportcards.com/).
2nd Grade Students on Track for 3rd Grade Success
Source: SC School Report Card (online: https://screportcards.com/).
SC READY and SCPASS
Source: South Carolina Department of Education.
HIGH SCHOOL
High school student achievement is measured through the following sets of assessment and completion data.
End-of-Course Examination Program (EOCEP)
The End of Course Examination Program (EOCEP) is a statewide assessment program of end-of-course tests in high school core courses. The EOCEP tests students in four subject areas: Algebra 1; Biology 1; English 2; and US History and the Constitution. Algebra 1 can be taken in middle school. (Middle schools will not have scores for the other subject areas.) EOCEP test results account for 20% of a student’s final grade in that subject. Learn more at the South Carolina Department of Education.
Data for years prior to 2017 are not shown. This is due to the revision of the South Carolina Uniform Grading Policy effective the 2016-17 school year. The change in this policy is shown below.
| Grading Scale Prior to 2016-17 | Grading Scale Beginning 2016-17 |
|---|---|
| A 93-100 | A 90-100 |
| B 85-92 | B 80-89 |
| C 77-84 | C 70-79 |
| D 70-76 | D 60-69 |
| F 0-69 | F 0-59 |
NOTE: The EOCEP was not fully administered in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
SAT and ACT
SAT
The SAT is a standardized test used by many colleges and universities in their admissions decisions. It is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test administered by the College Board.
It has two sections, Math and Evidence-based Reading and Writing, that are each scored on a scale of 200 to 800. The total score is the sum of the two section scores. The SAT also includes an optional Essay section that is scored separately. How important SAT scores are in the college application process varies from school to school.
Additionally, the SAT has established benchmark scores for the two main sections that represents the level of achievement required for students to have a 75% chance of obtaining a C or higher in a corresponding credit-bearing, first-year college course. For more information visit The College Board.
A redesigned test was initiated in March 2016. Results of the new SAT are not comparable to previous years. The percentage taking the test impacts the average scores reported for states, school districts and schools. Generally a higher percentage of test takers results in lower average scores.
ACT
The ACT is a standardized test used by many colleges and universities in their admissions decisions. It is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test administered by ACT, Inc.
Knowledge and skills are assessed in four areas: English, math, reading and science with each scored on a scale of 1–36. A composite score (the average of the four sections) is also provided. The ACT also includes an optional Writing section that is scored separately. How important ACT scores are in the college application process varies from school to school.
Additionally, the ACT has established a benchmark score for each subject-area test that represents the level of achievement required for students to have at least a 50% chance of obtaining a B or higher and about a 75% chance of obtaining a C or higher in a corresponding credit-bearing, first-year college course. For more information visit ACT.
The percentage taking the test impacts the average scores reported for states, school districts and schools. (Note that South Carolina required all high school juniors take the ACT during the three years 2016 to 2018 resulting in 100% of graduates taking the test those years.) Generally a higher percentage of test takers results in lower average scores.
WIN Ready to Work & Essential Soft Skills Assessments
Beginning in 2017-2018, the WIN Ready to Work and Essential Soft Skills Assessments are administered in the spring to all 11th-grade students. These assessments replace ACT WorkKeys, which was administered in 2016 and 2017.
WIN Ready to Work Assessment
The WIN Ready to Work Assessment is a workforce education and development tool comprised of three assessments—Applied Mathematics, Reading for Information, and Locating Information—leading to a work-ready credential. Assessments are scored on a scale from 3 to 7. Certificates are awarded at four credential levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Scoring a minimum of Level 3 on all three assessments is required for a bronze certificate; Level 4 or higher on all three is required for a silver; Level 5 or higher on all three is required for a gold; and Level 6 or higher on all three is required for a platinum certificate. Bronze indicates readiness for 35% of jobs in the workforce; Silver for 65%, Gold for 90% and Platinum for 99%. Learn more at WIN Learning or at Greenville County Schools.
High School Graduation Rate
High school graduation rates are now reported uniformly across the country. All states now use the four-year adjusted cohort rate. The rate does not include those who graduate after more than four years or those with a GED.
Despite using the same rate formula, valid comparisons among the states are difficult. Two reasons are that states differ in the number of credits required to graduate and vary in the number and types of diplomas.
South Carolina is currently one of twelve states plus the District of Columbia with the highest credit requirement for graduation (24 credits). Our state offers only one type of diploma. Read more about high school graduation requirements in the fifty states at the Education Commission of the States.
The primary cause of the drop in graduation rates in 2018 was due to the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which required that Adult Education transfers be included in the denominator for calculating the rate. Schools still received credit if a student graduated in 4 years.
NOTE –
For EOCEP and WIN Ready to Work, results for 2021 “should not be compared to those of other years due to the testing limitations as a result of the pandemic. In addition, these results may be incomplete and may not be representative of the make-up of the State, district, or school population.” (SC School Report Card)
End of Course Examination Program (EOCEP)
Note: Data is suppressed for groups with fewer than 10 test takers to maintain anonymity. Source: SC Department of Education (online: https://ed.sc.gov/data/test-scores/state-assessments/end-of-course-examination-program-eocep/).
SAT and ACT* (Update in Progress!)
*SAT and ACT average scores may rise or fall due to a change in the percentage taking the test. Note: SAT data available for 2017 forward only. Source: SC Dept of Education (online: https://ed.sc.gov/data/test-scores/); College Board (online: https://research.collegeboard.org/programs/sat/data); ACT (online: http://www.act.org/content/act/en/research/reports/act-publications/condition-of-college-and-career-readiness-2018.html).
WIN Ready to Work Assessment
Source: South Carolina Department of Education.
High School Graduation Rate*
*Dip in graduation rates in 2018 primarily due to new federal ESSA requirements. See "Read More.” Note: Data is suppressed for groups with small samples to maintain anonymity. Source: Overall Graduation Rate data file, SC School Report Card (online: https://screportcards.com/).
POST-SECONDARY
Preparation for post-secondary education and careers and participation in post-secondary education are measured by these key indicators.
College and Career Readiness of H.S. Graduation Cohort
To be college-ready, a student must meet one of the following:
- Score a composite score of 20 or higher on the ACT;
- Score a composite score of 1020 or higher on the SAT;
- Score a 3 or higher on an Advanced Placement (AP) exam;
- Score a 4 or higher on an International Baccalaureate (IB) assessment - only higher learning (HL) exams may count; or
- Complete at least six (6) credit hours in dual enrollment courses with a grade of C or higher.
To be career-ready, a student must meet one of the following:
- Be a Career and Technical Education (CTE) completer and earn a national or state industry credential as determined by the business community;
- Earn a Silver, Gold or Platinum National Career Readiness Certificate on the state-approved career readiness assessment;
- Earn a scale score of 31 or higher on the ASVAB; or
- Successfully complete a state-approved work-based learning program.
This measure is based on the four-year, on-time graduation cohort (graduates and non-graduates). It is not comparable to years prior to 2020. In 2020 the measured group changed from high school graduates to the graduation cohort. Full data is not available for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Find out more about College and Career Ready indicators at Expect More South Carolina.
High School Seniors Completing FAFSA Forms
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form completed by prospective and current college students in the United States to determine their eligibility for student financial aid (grants, work-study, and loans) to pay for college or a career school. Find out more about FAFSA at the the Office of Federal Student Aid.High School Students Completing College Applications
The percentage of seniors completing one or more college application.High School Graduates Pursuing Post-Secondary Education
The percentage of students from the prior-year graduating class enrolled in a two- or four-year college or technical college pursuing an associate degree, certificate, or diploma in the Fall following graduation.*4-year, on-time high school graduation cohort (graduates and non-graduates)
**Free Application for Federal Student Aid
College and Career Readiness of H.S. Graduation Cohort*
Source: CollegeCareer, Report Cards Data for Researchers, SC School Report Card (online: https://screportcards.com/).
Number of High School Seniors Completing FAFSA* Forms
Source: CCRPage_AdditionalInfo, Report Cards Data Additional Info, SC School Report Card, South Carolina Department of Education (online: https://screportcards.com/).
Percent of High School Seniors Completing College Applications
Source: CCRPage_AdditionalInfo, Report Cards Data Additional Info, SC School Report Card, South Carolina Department of Education (online: https://screportcards.com/).
Percent of High School Graduates Pursuing Post-Secondary Education
(Percentage of Students from prior year graduating class enrolled in a two- or four-year college or technical college pursuing an associate degree, certificate, or diploma in Fall following graduation.)
Source: CCRPage_AdditionalInfo, Report Cards Data Additional Info, SC School Report Card, South Carolina Department of Education (online: https://screportcards.com/).