Performances by high school students on South Carolina's end-of-course tests
in algebra and physical science improved during the 2006-07 academic year
but declined in freshman English, the state Department of Education reported
today.
More students earned a passing score a year ago on mandatory algebra and
physical science tests required by the state's school reform law, the 1998
Education Accountability Act. More students flunked the English test,
however.
A statement released by state schools chief Jim Rex labeled overall results
in the three subjects "unacceptably low."
"We need answers to some key questions," Rex said, which he outlined:
a.. Are students not motivated to do their best because these scores count
for only 20 percent of their final course grades?
a.. Are teachers not covering specific material that students need to master
before taking these tests?
a.. Have we set cut-scores too high?
"Regardless, these scores should be improving more rapidly," he said.
Rex said he had would have a team of Education Department experts review the
testing program and report to him on recommendations the agency could follow
to help schools and students improve scores.
Results on the three tests count 20 percent toward a student's final grade
in the courses, which are graduation requirements.
According to the state Education Department, here is a breakdown of how
students fared:
a.. English: 7.4 percent A, 13.9 percent B, 21.6 percent C, 21.9 percent D
and 35.2 percent F.
a.. Algebra: 14.5 percent A, 16.1 percent B, 29 percent C, 23.2 percent D
and 17.2 percent F.
a.. Physical science: 9.3 percent A, 7.7 percent B, 16 percent C, 16.7
percent D and 50.3 percent F.
South Carolina has a uniform grading scale. An A is in the range of 93-100;
a B is 85-92; a C is 77-84; and a D is 70-76. Scores below 69 earn an F.
- Bill Robinson
Posted on Sat, Dec. 08, 2007
Scores fail to impress Rex
High-school results unacceptably low' despite some improvement, he says
By BILL ROBINSON
brobinson@thestate.com
More high school students did better on South Carolina's end-of-course tests
in algebra and physical science during the 2006-07 academic year than the
previous year, but the pass rate for freshman English declined, the state
Department of Education said Friday.
The tests are one measure the state uses to gauge how students are
performing on standardized tests required by the 1998 school reform law.
Test results are used to calculate annual ratings in school report cards,
which were released last month.
On the English test, 64.8 percent passed; on the algebra test 82.8 percent
passed; and on the physical science test, 49.7 percent passed.
State schools chief Jim Rex said he was disappointed by lackluster scores
that he called "unacceptably low."
"We need answers to some key questions," Rex said:
. Are students not motivated to do their best because these scores count for
only 20 percent of their final course grades?
. Are teachers not covering specific material students need to master before
taking these tests?
. Have we set passing scores too high?
"Regardless, these scores should be improving more rapidly," he said.
Rex said he directed his Education Department staff to review the testing
program and report on recommendations the agency might follow to help
schools and students improve scores.
Results on the three tests count 20 percent toward a student's final grade
in the courses required for graduation.
According to the Education Department, the breakdown of how students fared
is as follows:
. English: A - 7.4 percent; B -13.9 percent; C - 21.6 percent; D - 21.9
percent; and F - 35.2 percent
. Algebra: A - 14.5 percent; B - 16.1 percent; C - 29 percent; D - 23.2
percent; and F - 17.2 percent
. Physical science: A - 9.3 percent; B - 7.7 percent; C - 16 percent; D -
16.7 percent; and F - 50.3 percent
Public high schools in South Carolina must use a uniform grading scale. An
"A" is in the range of 93-100; a B is 85-92; a C is 77-84; and a D is 70-76.
Scores below 69 earn an F.
Reach Robinson at (803) 771-8482.
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