Larger percentages of public school students met state standards on the 2012 administration of South Carolina’s Palmetto Assessment of State Standards while four out of five high school students passed the state’s high school exit examination on their first try. Achievement gaps narrowed in most grades and subject areas on both assessments.

State Superintendent of Education Mick Zais said this year’s results were encouraging and that educators and students should be congratulated.

“Our focus must always be on what happens in the classroom between a teacher and students,” Zais said. “Credit for these results belongs to the hard work of students, teachers, and parents across South Carolina. Student achievement should continue to increase if we encourage policies that personalize and customize education for every child.”

Regarding PASS results, gains were made in the mean scale score in each subject area and in most tested grades. In English-Language Arts, the mean scale score increased in every grade and the percentage of students demonstrating “Exemplary” proficiency increased in all grades except one.

“Reading proficiency must continue to be the focus in elementary school,” said Zais. “It is good news that the number of students demonstrating reading proficiency in third grade has increased. But the fact remains that nearly 20 percent of students leave third grade not reading on grade level. Promoting students whom have not mastered basic reading skills by third grade doesn’t help them; it hinders their education.”

Pickens County PASS Results:

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