South Carolina, September 12, 2025
News Summary
The recent SC READY scores show an overall improvement in English language arts proficiency among South Carolina students, with 60% meeting expectations. However, math proficiency remains a concern at only 44%. Districts like Beaufort and Charleston report varying levels of performance, highlighting ongoing challenges and the need for targeted interventions. As the state aims for 75% of students to achieve grade-level competency by 2030, strategies must be implemented to address disparities, especially in math. The findings call for continued efforts to improve educational outcomes statewide.
Columbia, South Carolina – The South Carolina College and Career-Ready Assessments (SC READY) scores for the 2025-2026 school year were released on September 2, 2025, revealing a mix of progress in student performance across various districts. The SC READY tests evaluate students in third through eighth grade on their proficiency in English language arts (ELA), math, and science as mandated by the Education Accountability Act.
Overall, 60% of students across the state met or exceeded expectations in ELA, an improvement from approximately 53% the previous year. However, math proficiency remains a challenge, with only 44% of students meeting math expectations, a small bump compared to the last year’s figures.
The South Carolina Department of Education has set a goal for 75% of students to achieve grade-level competency by 2030. While the progress in ELA is promising, inequities in math scores highlight ongoing concerns, prompting a call for targeted interventions.
District Performance Highlights
In Beaufort County, ELA scores improved across all grades except for the sixth, where scores fell slightly from 55.1% in 2024 to 54.9% in 2025. A significant increase in fourth-grade scores was observed, rising from 56.4% to 63.3%.
Math proficiency demonstrated a mixed performance in Beaufort County, with gains for fourth (up to 54.3%) and fifth graders (up to 52.1%), while sixth and seventh graders showed declines.
Jasper County reported increases in ELA for all grades except for sixth and seventh grades, with a remarkable rise for eighth grade scores from 30.3% in 2024 to 39.8% in 2025. However, the county encountered decreases in math proficiency among third, sixth, and eighth graders.
Charleston County School District achieved historic gains, with 65% of students meeting ELA expectations, surpassing the state average of 59.6%. In math, 54% of Charleston students met proficiency standards, significantly more than the state average of 43.9%. Additionally, in Algebra I, 64.9% of students earned a “C” or better, outstripping the state average of 53.1%.
Berkeley County School District recorded a 6.3% rise in ELA scores, with a drop in third graders not meeting expectations from 28.8% to 15.9%. Colleton County performed notably well with a 12% improvement in ELA scores, ranking second in the state’s performance metrics.
Conversely, Williamsburg County Schools had lower scores than state averages across grade levels, although minor year-over-year improvements were noted. Georgetown County Schools demonstrated slight progress but remained behind the overall state performance.
Kershaw County School District excelled in its alignment of classroom instruction with state standards, resulting in measurable improvements in math assessments. Historical analysis reveals ongoing demographic disparities in academic performance, yet historically underserved groups made some gains in ELA.
Statewide Concerns and Future Goals
State officials expressed the necessity to address the persistent challenges in math performance, emphasizing that while strides in ELA scores are commendable, sustained efforts are required to uplift math competency among students statewide.
Conclusion
The SC READY assessment results reflect a nuanced picture of educational progress within South Carolina, highlighting successes in language arts alongside ongoing challenges in math. As the state strives towards its 2030 goal of elevating student performance, targeted initiatives will be crucial in ensuring that math proficiency improves in tandem with rising ELA scores.
FAQ Section
What are the SC READY assessments?
The SC READY assessments are statewide evaluations for students in third through eighth grade that measure progress in English language arts (ELA), math, and science.
What were the overall ELA and math proficiency percentages for the 2025 assessments?
For the 2025 assessments, 60% of students met or exceeded expectations in ELA, while 44% met expectations in math.
What is the goal set by the South Carolina Department of Education?
The South Carolina Department of Education aims for 75% of students to test at or above grade level by 2030.
Which counties showed the most improvement?
Colleton County recorded a 12% growth in ELA scores, while Charleston County achieved significant gains in both ELA and math scores, exceeding state averages.
What critical issues were highlighted in the assessment results?
The assessment results highlighted ongoing struggles with math proficiency across various counties, prompting a call for targeted interventions to improve these scores.
Chart of Key Features
| Metrics | 2024 Scores | 2025 Scores | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELA Proficiency (State Overall) | 53% | 60% | +7% |
| Math Proficiency (State Overall) | 43% | 44% | +1% |
| Charleston ELA Proficiency | State Average: 59.6% | 65% | +5.4% |
| Charleston Math Proficiency | State Average: 43.9% | 54% | +10.1% |
| Fourth Grade ELA Beaufort County | 56.4% | 63.3% | +6.9% |
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Additional Resources
- Live 5 News: SC READY Assessments 2025
- Manning Live: Clarendon Schools Progress
- Edgefield Advertiser: Academic Gains Celebration
- WACH: SC READY Test Scores in Midlands
- Spectrum News: SC State Testing Scores
- Wikipedia: Education in South Carolina
- Google Search: SC READY Assessments
- Google Scholar: South Carolina Education Assessment
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Standardized Test
- Google News: South Carolina Schools SC READY
Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT
The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
