Lexington-Richland 5 reports gains on 2025 SC Ready and EOC tests; career-readiness results remain strong

Superintendent Dr. Ross and district assessment staff told the Lexington‑Richland School District Five board on Sept. 8 that the district showed year‑over‑year gains on several statewide measures and continues to outpace state averages in multiple areas.

At a presentation led by Director of Accountability and Planning Audrey Black, the board heard that the district’s combined SC Ready English language arts (grades 3–8) score rose 5.8 percentage points from 2024 to 2025 and “outperformed the state by more than 6 percentage points” in 2025. Black said every grade from third through eighth showed increases in the share of students meeting or exceeding expectations, with third grade up about eight points and eighth grade up about 9.2 points.

The nut graf: District leaders and board members framed the results as evidence that local instruction and interventions are improving outcomes, while also noting areas where targeted work is still needed — particularly in math and in some career‑readiness subtests.

Black told the board that math results were mixed: the district’s MAP scores rose 1.2 percentage points overall and outperformed the state by nearly five points, but math proficiency still declines across later grades. Notable math gains included fifth grade (up 3 points) and eighth grade (up 4 points). On end‑of‑course (EOC) tests — Algebra I, Biology I, English II and U.S. History and the Constitution — District 5 students scored higher percentages earning a C or better than state aggregates in all four subjects. Algebra I was essentially flat and Biology I declined by 3.2 points, but the district remains more than 16 percentage points ahead of the state in Biology I performance, Black said.

Board members applauded gains in reading. Board member Miss Huddle said she was “blown away by the increase, particularly in our reading scores,” and urged that teachers receive direct praise for the improvement. Dr. Ross said the district will use the data as baseline information as it builds a new five‑year strategic plan through 2032 and to pursue targeted interventions.

The board also heard results on the required career‑readiness assessment taken by all 11th graders. Black said the district exceeded state averages in every subtest (data, math, reading and a soft‑skills assessment). She said about 62.1% of test‑takers earned a level 3 or higher credential in 2025, and that data‑subtest proficiency remains a district strength (about 76.7% level 3 or higher in 2025 versus 65% statewide).

Board members pressed for next steps: Dr. Ross and other leaders said the district will focus on strengthening tier‑2 interventions and broaden tutoring and enrichment (a budget amendment for expanded tier‑2 supports was promised for presentation in January). Several members urged that the district publicly recognize teachers and staff responsible for the gains.

Ending: District staff said additional statewide scores (AP, ACT, SAT) remain embargoed and were not available for presentation. The board accepted the assessment report and took questions from members.