The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) and the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee (EOC) released the 2025 S.C. School Report Cards today, and the gains of Orangeburg County School District (OCSD) students and educators are highlighted – including student performance information and other elements of school quality and effectiveness for the 2024-2025 school year.

The School Report Cards, based on South Carolina's education accountability system, are required for all elementary, middle, and high schools, which receive overall ratings based on a 100-point scale. The ratings follow terms outlined in state law: Excellent, Good, Average, Below Average, and Unsatisfactory. Schools also receive ratings on various indicators such as academic achievement, college and career readiness, and graduation rate.

“The school report card data shows that 61% of the schools in OCSD are rated average or above, said Dr. Shawn D. Foster, Superintendent.

In OCSD, the school report card ratings are as follows:

•       three schools rated excellent,

•       three schools rated good,

•       12 schools rated average,

•       10 schools rated below average,

•       and one schools rated unsatisfactory (the same as last year).

ACHIEVEMENT

•       SCREADY ELA Assessment

         o   OCSD saw an increase of 4.9%, and the state had an increase of 6.2%

•       SCREADY Math

         o   OCSD grew by 2.6%, and the state grew by 1.7%.

•       EOCEP English Assessment

         o   OCSD had an increase of 4.3%, and the state by 2.1%.

•       Algebra Assessment,

         o   OCSD increased by 14.4%, and the state by 3.8%.

•       EOCEP Biology

         o   OCSD decreased by 6.6%, and the state decreased by 3.9%.

•       U.S. History

         o   OCSD decreased by 0.4%, and the state increased by 4.2%.

ENGLISH LEARNERS’ PROGRESS

In OCSD, 30.6% of students met progress toward the proficiency target - an increase of 4.7% compared to the 0.3% state decrease. Furthermore, in OCSD, we are committed to ensuring that the ELL students we serve have access to the S.C. Seal of Biliteracy assessment.

The SC Seal of Biliteracy advances the commitment to preparing every learner for college- and career-readiness in an increasingly international community by recognizing students who attain proficiency in English and at least one other world language required in the global workforce. Also, the award encourages students to take ownership of their language proficiency growth, better prepare themselves for today's workforce, and become lifelong language learners.

GRADUATION RATE

The OCSD’s graduation rate increased by 1.1% from 79.3% to 80.4%. The state's graduation rate has increased from 85.4% to 86.7%. Three of the district’s seven high schools achieved a graduation rate greater than 90%; and one additional high school nearly meets the state average at 84.1%.

STUDENT PROGRESS

Regarding student progress, OCSD saw slight decreases in each area. The overall percentage of points earned decreased from 48.7% to 45.9%. The percentage of progress points earned by all students decreased by 2.7% from 49.1% to 46.4%. The percentage of progress points earned by the lowest performing 20% of students decreased by 5.9% from 56% to 50.1%.

COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS

OCSD is proud to announce a significant increase in College and Career Readiness (CCR) among its students, reflecting the district's unwavering commitment to preparing every graduate for success beyond high school. The district increased by 8.7% from 66.4% to 75.1%. The state increased from 71.5% to 75.1% Five of the district's high schools surpassed the state's average of 75.1%

College and Career Readiness is a key indicator of how well students are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to thrive in higher education, the workforce, or the military. It represents the district’s success in ensuring that students not only meet academic standards but also graduate with the practical tools and credentials to pursue their goals with confidence.

“This achievement is more than just a data point,” said Dr. Foster, “It’s evidence that our schools are creating pathways for students to discover their strengths, explore real-world opportunities, and graduate ready to succeed in college, careers, and life.”

The district's improvement in CCR rates highlights the effectiveness of ongoing initiatives, including career and technical education programs, dual-enrollment opportunities, work-based learning experiences, and personalized college and career planning.

NEXT STEPS

Building on this momentum, the district is implementing several strategic initiatives designed to sustain and accelerate student achievement. Transformation Coaches will be deployed to provide targeted, on-site support to teachers and school leaders, ensuring that high-impact instructional practices are consistently implemented across classrooms. The district is also developing a comprehensive Instructional Framework to establish a unified vision for teaching and learning that aligns curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

To strengthen decision-making, the district is enhancing its data visualization systems, which allow educators to easily monitor student progress and respond quickly to areas of need. Additionally, the district will expand the use of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) to address the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of all students through evidence-based interventions.

Together, these initiatives represent a coordinated effort to ensure every student is equipped for success in college, career, and life.

Dr. Foster said, "We know what the data shows, but we also know what the data does not show. In OCSD, we educate the whole child, and sometimes the whole family. Therefore, we understand the challenges and opportunities our students encounter, and we are laser-focused on meeting them where they are and growing them to where they should be," he concluded.

The Report Cards, available at www.screportcards.com, highlight student performance information and other elements of school quality and effectiveness for the 2024-2025 school year.