South Carolina Schools Show Academic Recovery Progress

News Summary

South Carolina’s schools are witnessing significant strides in academic recovery as in-person learning resumes after the pandemic. With data indicating improvements, educators are tailoring instruction to meet students’ needs, despite ongoing challenges such as absenteeism and achievement gaps among different demographics. The focus remains on fostering an environment where all students can thrive as optimism grows within classrooms across the state.

Sunny Skies as South Carolina’s Schools Make Strides in Academic Recovery

Charleston is basking in the glow of sunny skies today, with temperatures reaching a pleasant 64°F. The bright weather seems to reflect the optimism brewing in classrooms across South Carolina. As schools continue to recover following the turbulent times brought on by COVID-19, data suggests they are making commendable gains in academic achievement.

Brighter Days Ahead for Students

Just recently, in a third-grade classroom at Sanders-Clyde Elementary, two eager students, A’mire Frazier and Sopheria Tillmon, immersed themselves in math problems while their teacher, Sarah Langdon, encouraged them to think critically and solve challenges. This scene is becoming increasingly common as teachers across the state hone their instruction techniques to bridge the gaps created during the pandemic. Instructional specialists, such as Wendy McIlwain, are stepping up, guiding teachers through important data-driven meetings to discuss how to tailor learning experiences to meet each student’s needs.

On February 27, at Honea Path Elementary, the interaction between students and teacher Brandon Moore highlighted the advantages of face-to-face learning. He adeptly worked with student Emily Johnson on a fraction conversion problem, reinforcing the idea that some lessons are best learned in person. The tacit understanding between them underscores a significant element of recovery that many educators are navigating daily.

Finding Courage in Recovery

It is important to understand the background of these recovery efforts. Schools throughout South Carolina closed back on March 15, 2020, to slow the spread of the virus, creating an environment of uncertainty where learning losses and achievement gaps widened. But as restrictions were lifted, many districts shifted towards a full return to in-person instruction. This move sparked progress, leading South Carolina to rank an impressive seventh in math and tenth in reading as of 2024, although many challenges still linger with overall academic performance trailing pre-pandemic levels.

Stunningly, approximately 90% of students in the state still attend schools where achievement metrics are not quite back to where they were before. Yet, districts like Anderson Two, Charleston, Greenwood 50, and Greenwood 52 are blazing trails in recovery efforts, thanks largely to their strategies concentrated on in-person learning. This has led to an interesting dynamic where class sizes have shrunk significantly, with some classrooms in Anderson now hosting about 12 pupils each.

Overcoming Engagement Challenges

Despite the upsides, educators faced considerable hurdles when transitioning to remote learning. Subjects like math, which often rely on hands-on manipulatives, proved challenging when taught via screens. Additionally, many students from low-income families grappled with internet access issues, diminishing their participation in remote learning classes. This situation is a potent reminder of the disparities that exist across socioeconomic lines.

To counteract learning gaps, schools have placed a strong emphasis on data-driven assessments to tailor strategies that fit each student’s unique strengths and weaknesses. In Anderson Two, for instance, educators are employing whiteboards to visually track progress in core subjects, facilitating targeted small-group instruction that enhances individual learning.

Addressing Ongoing Absenteeism

Yet not all clouds have cleared. Chronic absenteeism rates have surged, with data indicating that 22.5% of students missed 18 classes or more in the preceding school year. To tackle this challenging issue, districts have initiated several grassroots efforts, including home visits, teacher incentives, and proactive outreach to parents of chronically absent students to get kids back into the learning groove.

Official statistics point to the stark reality that the state’s academic performance remains roughly a trimester behind expectations in both reading and math. Furthermore, disparities persist within different racial groups, as Black and Hispanic students are lagging in recovery compared to their White peers. Only the Asian cohort has shown a notable improvement, surpassing their pre-pandemic achievement levels.

Building a Brighter Future Together

Moving forward, lessons learned throughout the pandemic are prompting education leaders to take more active roles in engaging with parents and the broader community. The aim is clear: foster an environment where all students can recover and thrive across diverse backgrounds. Together, as Charleston shines under those sunny skies, hope flutters that brighter days and stronger schools are on the horizon for everyone.

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Additional Resources

• Post and Courier: COVID Five-Year Anniversary Academic Recovery
• K-12 Dive: Lessons in Leadership – Philadelphia
• Post and Courier: SC Schools COVID Pandemic Recovery Scorecard Study
• Tri-State Alert: WV Continues to Climb Out of COVID Education Hole
• NC Newsline: Helene, Damage, and Recovery in North Carolina
• Wikipedia: Education in the United States
• Google Search: COVID-19 education recovery
• Google Scholar: COVID-19 learning loss
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
• Google News: COVID-19 education recovery