How Bad is the South Carolina Education System?

There are annual reports that monitor a number of key indicators of the quality of education in the United States broken down by state.  Over the last several years, there has been criticism that South Carolina has a poor quality of education and the results have supported that.  We looked at two key tracking providers and have some shocking information to report.

ALEC.org – American Legislative Exchange Council Annual Report

Bureau of Labor Statistics Annual Reports

Here are some key indicators you need to know:

• South Carolina has 87 school districts, 227 high schools, 13,215 full time teachers and 212,560 enrolled students (16.1 students per teacher in the state).
• The 2014 “School System Quality Ranking” for South Carolina was 47th.
• The 2014 “School Safety Ranking” for South Carolina was 24th.
• Overall ranking of the school systems puts South Carolina at 45th in the nation.
• South Carolina high school graduation rates
  • 2010-11 – 67%
  • 2011-12 – 67%
  • 2012-13 – 67%
• South Carolina graduations rates for children with disabilities
  • 2010-11 – 39%
  • 2011-12 – 40%
  • 2012-13 – 43.2%

ALEC looks at a different set of measurable criteria with a focus on performance and academic gains of low-income students:

There measurable criteria includes:

• State academic standards
• School choice programs
• Teacher quality
• Online learning
• Home school regulation burdens

Based on all these criteria, the NAEP – National Assessment of Educational Progress ranks South Carolina 51st (last) in the United States for low-income students education.

Category Rankings

• State Academic Standards – D+
• Home School Regulations Burden – C
• Private School Choice Programs – B
• Teacher Quality and Policies – C-
• Digital Learning – C

Performance Results for Low-income students in South Carolina

NAEP Schools – 2003 / 2013 Comparisons

School System Ranking vs. spending

If this concerns you, we need to speak to our local and state politicians, school officials and town/school meetings.  Speak loudly and be heard.