A stark reality check emerged during the recent Banking and Insurance Committee meeting in South Carolina, as members grappled with alarming graduation statistics. With an 85% on-time graduation rate, only 30% of those graduates are deemed college and career ready, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of the state's education system.

"That means 24 percent of the children that are in school are coming out, graduating on time, and they're ready for college or career," one committee member pointedly remarked, expressing frustration over the dismal figures. The discussion quickly turned to the value of a high school diploma, with concerns that graduates are not equipped with the necessary skills to succeed in the workforce or higher education.

Committee members emphasized the urgent need for reform, questioning what is being done wrong and how to correct it. They highlighted the importance of tightening educational standards to ensure that diplomas hold real value. "We're trying to make it more rigorous," one member noted, stressing the necessity for students to graduate with credentials that truly prepare them for future challenges.

The conversation underscored a critical issue: post-secondary institutions are reporting that many incoming students lack essential math skills and struggle with the demands of college-level coursework. This disconnect between high school graduation and college readiness has sparked a call to action among committee members, who are eager to explore solutions that will better prepare students for their futures.

As the meeting concluded, the chair of the K-12 Subcommittee was invited to discuss these pressing issues further, signaling a commitment to addressing the educational shortcomings that have left many South Carolina students unprepared for life after graduation. The path forward remains uncertain, but the urgency for change is clear.