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District shows mixed trends on spring 2026 assessments, cautions about test changes
Summary
District staff presented spring 2026 assessment trends across SC Ready, end‑of‑course exams and career‑readiness testing, noting some upward trends but also emphasizing that changes to tests and small cohort sizes (e.g., algebra) can distort comparisons.
Sherry Forrest presented district trend data for the spring 2026 state assessments, covering SC Ready (grades 3‑8 ELA and math; grades 4 and 6 science), end‑of‑course exams and the South Carolina Career Ready assessments.
Forrest emphasized that some comparisons are affected by changes in standards and assessments (new ELA and math standards and new state tests) and by small test cohorts—for example, only 20 students took Algebra I in one year compared with hundreds in other years, which can skew results. The district will continue disaggregated analysis of subgroups and school‑level data to inform targeted professional learning and 45‑day action plans. Forrest also noted embargo and public release dates for various score sets and said additional state and national test results (SAT/AP/ACT) will be released later in the year.
Board members stressed the importance of explaining test and measurement changes to the public so longitudinal trends are not misinterpreted; staff agreed and said the district uses multiple measures (such as I‑Ready) alongside state tests for progress monitoring.
