A new educational dashboard initiative is set to transform how South Carolina evaluates student performance and school funding. During a recent meeting of the Senate Finance Special Subcommittee, officials highlighted the launch of three comprehensive dashboards aimed at tracking educational outcomes from pre-kindergarten through post-graduation.

The dashboards, accessible at dashboardsc.sc.gov, provide detailed insights into student performance across various stages of education. The pre-K dashboard focuses on early childhood results, while the K-12 dashboard allows users to drill down into specific high schools, analyzing graduation rates and post-secondary enrollment statistics. Notably, it tracks whether students persist into their sophomore year and ultimately graduate within six years.

A significant concern raised during the meeting was chronic absenteeism, which affects academic performance. In the 2022-2023 school year, 20% of students were reported as chronically absent, missing at least 10% of the school year. This alarming trend underscores the need for targeted interventions to improve student attendance and engagement.

Officials expressed a desire to revisit the topic of absenteeism in future discussions, emphasizing its critical impact on educational outcomes. As these dashboards roll out, they are expected to provide valuable data that can inform policy decisions and enhance educational strategies across the state. The initiative marks a proactive step towards accountability and transparency in South Carolina's education system, aiming to ensure that funding aligns with student performance and needs.