Stories
School Climate indicator rating now based on 3rd through 11th grade survey responses
The Education Oversight Committee (EOC) recently approved that only 3rd through 11th grade School Climate surveys will impact the School Climate...
National Student Clearinghouse data provides clearer picture of SC high school graduates who enter college
For the current school year, South Carolina high schools do not have to submit a mandatory report detailing the college destinations of their...
EOC Welcomes Rep. Bill Hager
The Honorable William "Bill" Hager has been appointed to join the SC EOC. Rep. Hager serves Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper residents in...
Seeking Focus Group Participants
In order to improve the user experience on ExpectMoreSC, the EOC will be conducting a brief, virtual focus group to gain stakeholder feedback. If...
Ferguson Announces Position with SC Department of Education
COLUMBIA - During a special-called Education Oversight Committee (EOC) meeting held on Monday, November 14, Executive Director Matthew Ferguson...
Score release shows recovery in ELA
The recently released SC READY data from students in grades 3-8 show that English Language Arts (ELA) scores have rebounded to pre-pandemic (2019)...
Resources available to explain changes to accountability system
Dr. Matthew Lavery, EOC's Director of Research, has published a series of short videos explaining the new 2023 Accountability Manual, which impacts...
It is time to reimagine what is possible for SC students
C. Matthew Ferguson, Esq., EOC Executive Director The global COVID-19 pandemic forced South Carolina public schools to abruptly close for the last...
Geography: Educating SC Students for the World
“The Profile of the SC Graduate demands that we provide world-class knowledge, world-class skills, and a global perspective to our students. We cannot, however, prepare our students for the world if they do not learn about that world.” Dr. Jerry Mitchell
Why SC’s failing education system is no accident of history
In November 2018, the Charleston Post and Courier posted an investigative series spotlighting the disparities among South Carolina’s schools and persistent failures to improve students’ readiness for college and the workforce.
2018 Best High School Rankings
Why it matters: The U.S. News rankings include data on more than 20,500 public schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia…
The jobs are in SC. Where is the workforce?
Why it matters: Companies like Volvo and Mercedes have located to SC, but finding a qualified workforce has been tough-going. In the three-county Charleston metro area, the labor force actually shrank by more than 3,000 people over the past year — to 378,544 — despite more than 10,000 people moving to the area.
College graduates and employers disagree on preparedness
Why it matters: This study suggests that employers see skills gaps in key areas where college students don’t believe gaps exist, particularly in areas like professionalism and work ethic.
SC 48th among states in education.
Why it matters: U.S. News and World Report: Best States for Education ranks states in higher education as well as primary and secondary school and pre-K education.
Quality Counts 2018: Grading the States
Why it matters: Education Week’s annual state-by-state assessment of public education paints a portrait of middling performance overall with patches of high achievement, along with perennial struggles to improve on the part of states mired at the bottom.
SC earns a C- on State Report Card; Good teachers critical for kids
Why it matters: Education Week publishes Quality Counts annually, grading states on annual performance. This is the 22nd edition of the publication and South Carolina has earned a ranking of 42.
Morgan dislikes EOC and testing
Why it matters: This opinion editorial, published by The State, is part of a series of opinion pieces authored by Dr. Frank Morgan, retired Superintendent of the School District of Kershaw County.
High expectations for students and schools critical to school success
Why it matters: Rep. Dwight Loftis, a current EOC members, states we pay $9.5 billion every year for our SC schools. So, what is wrong with accountability?
Recognizing the best way to ensure our children get a decent education is through giving them a good teacher.
Why it is important: Columnist Cindi Ross Scoppe’s editorial discusses the need for teachers to get the pay and respect they deserve. Her editorial was published along with a series the paper did about SC teachers leaving the classroom. Link to “Classrooms in Crisis” series in the editorial.
What can Miss tell SC about improvement?
Why it is important: “After embracing innovative, student-centered policies, adopting comprehensive reforms and setting higher expectations for children, we have seen consistent improvement in NAEP scores for multiple years. The results of the Nation’s Report Card indicate these reforms are yielding positive results.” – Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant
Bush says reforms in FL are working
Why it is important: Jeb Bush responds to those who ask what Florida is doing to show growth. His answer: “There’s no great secret. The key ingredients are persistence and an unwavering commitment to putting the needs and interests of students ahead of anything or anyone else.”
Mississippi 4th graders pass SC
Why it matters: South Carolina residents have wisecracked “Thank God for Mississippi” for many years. That is no longer true. The investment in quality pre-K and early literacy has paid off for states like Mississippi and Florida, who are seeing improvements.
Education Trust addresses performance gap in SC
Why it is important: For historically underachieving groups like African-American students and disabled students, results on the “Nation’s Report Card” are lower now than they were in 2009 for every tested subject and grade.