ORANGEBURG S.C. - Today, the South Carolina Department of Education released the results of the South Carolina Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (SCPASS) and South Carolina College-and Career-Ready Assessments (SC READY) from the 2022-2023 school year. All grades 3-8 students take the SC READY (ELA and math), and fourth and sixth-grade students take the SCPASS (science).

For the first time in the OCSD's history, prior to and post-consolidation, OCSD students made gains in all tested areas. This significant accomplishment is a testament to the strategic focus and deliberate emphasis on academics in OCSD. "I am so proud to serve the students and families in OCSD," said Dr. Shawn D. Foster, OCSD Superintendent. "We have been extremely intentional to ensure that we are providing all of the necessary tools our students need to achieve academic excellence, and although there is still much work to do, I am pleased that our students are making gains,” Dr. Foster continued.

OCSD made positive gains in each area of ELA, with increases of at least 5%. In grade 3, 71% of schools had gains. Three schools had gains of more than 25% in grade 3. In grade 4, 71% of schools had gains. OCSD had the highest ELA in grade 4 at 10.1%, with three schools having gains of nearly 20% in grade 4. In grade 5, 79% of schools had gains. Also noteworthy is that seven OCSD elementary schools gained or maintained performance in all ELA-tested areas.

OCSD district experienced significant gains in third-grade and fourth-grade math of greater than 10% in SC READY - Mathematics. In grade 3, 64% of schools experienced gains, and three OCSD schools exceeded the State. In grade 4, two schools exceeded more than a 36% increase, and one school exceeded the State. In grade 5, 71% of
 
schools experienced gains. Three schools had a 15% increase, and one exceeded the State.

Additional OCSD SC READY (ELA) highlights -
o    Four OCSD middle schools experienced gains or maintained in all ELA tested areas.
o    In grade 6, 89% of schools experienced gains, and two OCSD schools showed gains greater than 20%.
o    In grade 7, 67% of schools experienced gains, and two OCSD schools showed gains greater than 20%.
o    In grade 8, 89% of schools experienced gains.
o    Two OCSD schools experienced more than an 18% gain, and one school excelled the State in 6th and 8th grade ELA.

Additional OCSD SC READY (math) highlights -
o    OCSD made modest gains in Middle School Math
•    In grade 6, 56% of schools had increases.
•    In grade 7, 78% of schools had increases.
•    In grade 8, 44% of schools had increases.

Additional OCSD SCPASS (science) highlights -
o    In grade 4, half of OCSD schools had increases in performance, and one OCSD exceeded the State.
o    In grade 6, 67% of schools had increases, and one OCSD exceeded the State.

For additional information about the results, visit the state’s Department of Education website (SC READY and SCPASS).