District reports SC Ready and EOC gains; board asked for subgroup breakdowns, district outlines supports

District curriculum staff reported overall growth on SC Ready (grades 3–8) and noted the 2025 cohort and trend data showed the highest scores in recent years across multiple grade bands.

Katie Broom, coordinator of testing and accountability, told the board that "all of our grade levels, 3 through 8, had growth" in ELA compared with 2024 and that cohort charts showed improvement as students moved through grades. District presenters highlighted specific growth percentages shown in the slide materials: third grade growth around 30% compared with prior years, fourth grade similar gains and other grades with double‑digit percentage increases in proficiency in some cases.

Board member Mister Sweeney asked for demographic breakdowns by race and gender for the trend data; staff agreed to provide those subgroup reports. "I can do that for you," Katie Broom said when asked for race and gender comparisons.

Math performance drew more caution. Staff said some grades—third, fourth and sixth—showed growth from 2024 to 2025, but overall math scores have declined regionally and statewide. The district described actions to address math gaps: school math action plans, a new aligned K–8 curriculum, pacing guides, explicit vocabulary instruction, supplemental digital resources (IXL and iReady), targeted intercession in October and monthly data meetings. Two schools were identified as Palmetto Math Project schools and will receive state support, including a math coach who will visit once a week, staff said.

On end‑of‑course exams, staff reported reductions in failures in Algebra I, English II and U.S. History compared with 2024. Staff said they will use Mastery Connect for EOC preparation and continue after‑school tutoring at high schools.

District leaders noted instructional supports already in place: reading coaches K–8, summer reading books funded with Title I and Title V, and a successful summer reading camp. Curriculum staff also described partnerships and CTE activities that expose students to career pathways, including cybersecurity events.

The presentation touched briefly on artificial intelligence in instruction: staff said teacher training is under way and that Sheryl High (identified at the meeting as a pilot) will pilot classroom AI use while district policy guidance is developed.

Staff reiterated the district goal that at least 75% of students perform at or above grade level and repeated a district target given in the presentation: "by 02/1930, at least 70% of our students are performing at or above grade level and all students are graduating college and career ready." Presenters said the curriculum team will return with subgroup analyses and that principals are developing school‑level action plans based on the data.

Any further changes to curriculum or staffing in support of these interventions will be considered as the district approaches budget season.