New data breaks down scores from SC Ready Assessment and end of course exams

JASPER COUNTY, SC. (WTOC) - New numbers are in from the S.C. Ready Assessment students took last May and from end of course exams.

The new data was released Monday morning and breaks down the scores by school.

See presentation below:

WTOC visited Jasper County, where the district met with stakeholders just after the scores were released.

In those scores released that show a breakdown by school, the Jasper County School District saw a slight increase in some of its scores, but understands there is still a lot of work to be done.

The assessment tests kids in third through eighth grades in language arts and mathematics, while also testing fourth and sixth graders in science.

From 2023-2024 to 2024-2025, three out of the four schools in Jasper County that were tested saw a slight increase in students going from not meeting expectations to meeting or exceeding expectations.

While Ridgeland Secondary Academy of Excellence saw that percentage fall.

In Math, two schools saw slight improvements, but RSAE and Hardeeville Elementary saw slight declines.

Overall, according to the new data, Ridgeland Elementary and Hardeeville Junior Senior High School posted average scores similar to the state average, while the other two, even with an increase in some cases, still are below average.

Interim Superintendent Laura Hickson, who took over a couple of months ago, met with stakeholders and says that for them to get the scores to where they want them across the district, it will take everyone to make it happen.

“We are in this together. If one person fails, we all fail. If one person or everyone works to succeed, we now have a successful Jasper. It’s all about just one Jasper and the whole district being successful,” said Dr. Laura Hickson, Jasper County Interim Superintendent.

To help raise the scores, the district has implemented some new initiatives at the schools, like Jasper Reads 30 for 30. This encourages students to read 30 minutes at school and 30 minutes at home every day.

And while the district tries to get their scores and raise the graduation and college or career readiness percentage, they are also trying to get their finances in order after falling into a financial emergency.

Like catching up on mandatory audits that are supposed to be filled out every year.

“We were behind here in Jasper by three years, so we are currently finalizing the 2022-2023, then we’ll do 2023-2024, and then we will do 2024-2025,” Dr. Hickson said.

The school district will host another meeting on Monday night, starting at 6 p.m. in Ridgeland.

Then, after that, their next stakeholders meeting will be in January.