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Richland 01 officials report upward trends in high-school EOCs, caution on biology predictions and staffing
Summary
District presenters showed multi-year gains in several high‑school end‑of‑course (EOC) measures and college/career readiness; presenters expressed confidence in algebra and English improvements but warned biology forecasts and staffing disruptions could limit gains.
Richland 01 officials told the School Board Tuesday that multi‑year trend data show growth across several major high‑school measures — including algebra I and English II — while also flagging areas that need continued attention such as biology outcomes, staffing stability and gaps across school clusters.
Dr. Hassinger, presenting high‑school benchmark data with Ms. Sturdivant, outlined 3‑ and 4‑year trends and predictive measures the district uses to estimate state report‑card outcomes. On algebra I, the district reported a pass‑rate recovery from 50.9% in 2022 to 59.5% in the most recent year and said its strategic‑plan goal for pass rate was 64%. “We are extremely confident that we will exceed that goal considerably, this year,” the presenter said of algebra data.
The district uses MasterView predictive assessments (MVPA) and district common formative assessments (DCFA) to forecast EOC pass and proficiency. On algebra, the MVPA projected a 75% pass rate and a 48% proficiency rate for the coming report. For English II, the presenters said the 2024 pass rate was 82.7% and MVPA projects an 88% pass rate and a 67% proficiency rate this year.
Staff warned about biology predictions. The presenter said the biology MVPA forecast indicated a notable increase but added, “I do lack some confidence that we will meet these goals this year,” citing staffing issues such as long‑term leaves and midyear retirements that could blunt gains.
Graduation‑rate context: the district said 2022 was a banner year at roughly 86% and that the rate dipped to 81.8%. Staff reported ongoing, student‑by‑student review by principals and district teams and a district goal to return to an 86% graduation rate for the current cohort.
College and career readiness (CCR) was a major focus. The district reported a CCR rate of 59.4% last year and a district goal of 70%. Presenters reviewed qualifying pathways and indicators used to count students as college or career ready: completing an approved CTE pathway plus a national credential; state‑approved work‑based learning or internships; WIN test silver score; ASVAB career‑readiness score of 31 or higher; ACT composite 20 or higher; SAT composite 1,020 or higher; AP exam score of 3+; IB exam score of 4+; or completion of six qualifying dual‑enrollment credit hours with a C or better. The presenters said dual‑enrollment options in the district include courses through Midlands Technical College, Winthrop, Aiken and the University of South Carolina.
Board members praised the direction but asked the administration to focus over the summer on disparities among clusters and on supports for schools with lower growth. Commissioner Lomenak asked that board work sessions be used for deeper data dives; Commissioner Bishop recommended aligning budget priorities to programs shown to close opportunity gaps.
No policy votes were taken; the presentation was informational and followed by board questions. Officials said principals’ early projections for graduation and CCR ranged widely by school (examples cited: graduation projections from about 72.9% to 98.4% in principals’ internal estimates) and that district teams were continuing reviews before the state report card is published.
