South Carolina reports 85% high school graduation rate but only 30% college ready
April 30, 2025 | 2025 Legislative Meetings, South Carolina
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The Education and Public Works Committee of the South Carolina Legislature convened on April 30, 2025, to discuss critical updates regarding the state's education system, focusing on graduation rates, college and career readiness, and chronic absenteeism among students.
The meeting began with a presentation highlighting the graduation rate for the class of 2024, which stands at 85.4%. This figure reflects a steady increase in the number of high school students graduating on time. However, the committee expressed concern over the college and career readiness of these graduates, with only 72% deemed ready for post-secondary education or the workforce. This statistic raises questions about the effectiveness of the current educational framework in preparing students for future challenges.
The discussion emphasized the definitions of college and career readiness, which include performance on standardized tests such as the ACT and SAT, as well as participation in advanced coursework like Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. Additionally, the state administers a career readiness test and recognizes industry certifications as indicators of preparedness.
Committee members voiced their concerns regarding the implications of these statistics. One member pointed out that if 85% of students graduate but only 72% are ready for the next step, it suggests that a significant portion of graduates may lack the necessary skills and credentials to succeed. This prompted discussions on the value of a high school diploma and the need for a more rigorous curriculum that aligns with workforce demands.
The meeting also addressed the issue of chronic absenteeism, with reports indicating that 23% of students were chronically absent during the previous school year. This absenteeism is linked to poorer academic performance and raises alarms about the overall health of the educational environment in South Carolina.
In addition to these discussions, the committee reviewed a new dashboard designed to provide transparency and data accessibility regarding educational outcomes. This tool allows stakeholders to analyze performance metrics across various schools and grade levels, offering insights into areas needing improvement.
As the meeting concluded, committee members expressed a desire for further collaboration and exploration of solutions to enhance educational outcomes in South Carolina. The committee plans to continue its work on refining the accountability system and addressing the challenges faced by students, particularly those who are not graduating with valuable credentials.
The meeting began with a presentation highlighting the graduation rate for the class of 2024, which stands at 85.4%. This figure reflects a steady increase in the number of high school students graduating on time. However, the committee expressed concern over the college and career readiness of these graduates, with only 72% deemed ready for post-secondary education or the workforce. This statistic raises questions about the effectiveness of the current educational framework in preparing students for future challenges.
The discussion emphasized the definitions of college and career readiness, which include performance on standardized tests such as the ACT and SAT, as well as participation in advanced coursework like Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. Additionally, the state administers a career readiness test and recognizes industry certifications as indicators of preparedness.
Committee members voiced their concerns regarding the implications of these statistics. One member pointed out that if 85% of students graduate but only 72% are ready for the next step, it suggests that a significant portion of graduates may lack the necessary skills and credentials to succeed. This prompted discussions on the value of a high school diploma and the need for a more rigorous curriculum that aligns with workforce demands.
The meeting also addressed the issue of chronic absenteeism, with reports indicating that 23% of students were chronically absent during the previous school year. This absenteeism is linked to poorer academic performance and raises alarms about the overall health of the educational environment in South Carolina.
In addition to these discussions, the committee reviewed a new dashboard designed to provide transparency and data accessibility regarding educational outcomes. This tool allows stakeholders to analyze performance metrics across various schools and grade levels, offering insights into areas needing improvement.
As the meeting concluded, committee members expressed a desire for further collaboration and exploration of solutions to enhance educational outcomes in South Carolina. The committee plans to continue its work on refining the accountability system and addressing the challenges faced by students, particularly those who are not graduating with valuable credentials.
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