District scores outpace state at every level; 2006 PACT results show mixed performance
September 15, 2006

Horry County Schools' students showed improvement on the Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test (PACT) in 2006, with gains in eight out of 24 tests among students meeting grade level standards. Among students scoring Proficient and Advanced, district students made gains in 16 out of 24 tests.

The District’s performance on PACT is higher than the state in all grade levels in all areas tested in both the percentage of students scoring Basic and above as well as the percentage of students scoring Proficient and Advanced. Statewide, gains were made in nine of 24 tests among students meeting grade level standards and in 12 of 24 tests among students scoring Proficient and Advanced.

Both the district and the state had mixed results this year, showing a decline in the number of tests showing improved performance. Last year, HCS had gains in 16 of 24 tests while the state had gains in 14 of 24 tests. One factor that may have contributed to declines in test scores is that many schools opted to test all students on grade level. Previously, special education students were allowed to take a test that was lower than their grade level based on their Individualized Education Plan. The United States Department of Education has ruled that students who take off-grade level tests count against the school’s ability to make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) effective this year.

District-wide, nearly 14,000 students in grades 3-8 participated last spring in the administration of PACT tests, which measure student progress toward the state’s rigorous curriculum standards in English/language arts, mathematics, social studies and science. PACT has measured student achievement in English/language arts and mathematics since 1999. Social studies and science were tested for the first time in 2003.

PACT scores are key components in South Carolina’s annual School Report Cards that rate elementary and middle schools, as well as school districts, as Excellent, Good, Average, Below Average or Unsatisfactory. Under the Education Accountability Act of 1998, the state provides specialized assistance to schools and districts that have Unsatisfactory or Below Average ratings.

(High schools are rated by a formula that uses High School Exit Exam scores, graduation rates and percentages of students eligible for LIFE Scholarships.)

PACT results are divided into four categories, Below Basic, Basic, Proficient and Advanced. To meet standards, students must score Basic or above. Students who score in the Basic category have at least met the minimum expectations for performance based on the curriculum standards. Those who score in the Proficient category have met the expectations for performance, while students who score in the Advanced category have exceeded the expectations for student performance.

Students who score in the Below Basic category did not meet the minimum expectations on curriculum standards to pass the test. Academic plans that address how students’ weaknesses will be remediated – either during the school year, in after-school programs, summer school or any combination of the three – are developed for students scoring Below Basic in one or more subjects.

Percentages of students scoring Proficient or above on PACT are used to determine AYP school results required by the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

Seven independent national research studies have shown that PACT’s scoring levels are set higher than annual accountability tests in other states. A student’s score of Basic on PACT, for example, might be equivalent to a score of Proficient in other states.

Summary of Horry County Schools' 2006 PACT results:

Grade 3

• English Language Arts - The percentage of students scoring at the Basic Level or above decreased from 92.9 to 92.8 percent; 6.4 points above the state percentage of 86.4.
• Mathematics - The percentage of students scoring at the Basic Level or above decreased from 90.3 to 88.2 percent; 7.3 points above the state percentage of 80.9.
• Science - The percentage of students scoring at the Basic Level or above decreased from 71 to 68 percent; 5.3 points above the state percentage of 62.7.
• Social Studies- The percentage of students scoring at the Basic Level or above increased from 83.5 to 85.6 percent; 6.2 points above the state percentage of 79.4.

Grade 4

• English Language Arts - The percentage of students scoring at the Basic Level or above decreased from 88.6 to 88.3 percent; 6.5 points above the state percentage of 81.8.
• Mathematics - The percentage of students scoring at the Basic Level or above decreased from 87.7 to 85.4 percent; 7 points above the state percentage of 78.4.
• Science - The percentage of students scoring at the Basic Level or above decreased from 68.9 to 68.1 percent; 5.3 points above the state percentage of 62.8.
• Social Studies- The percentage of students scoring at the Basic Level or above decreased from 82.6 to 76.9 percent; 4.5 points above the state percentage of 72.4.

Grade 5

• English Language Arts - The percentage of students scoring at the Basic Level or above increased from 86.6 to 88.8 percent; 9 points above the state percentage of 79.8.
• Mathematics - The percentage of students scoring at the Basic Level or above decreased from 88.5 to 86.7 percent; 10.8 points above the state percentage of 75.9.
• Science - The percentage of students scoring at the Basic Level or above increased from 62.2 to 65.4 percent; 5.9 points above the state percentage of 59.5.
• Social Studies- The percentage of students scoring at the Basic Level or above increased from 67.6 to 68.6 percent; 6.2 points above the state percentage of 62.4.

Grade 6

• English Language Arts - The percentage of students scoring at the Basic Level or above increased from 74.2 to 78.1 percent; 9 points above the state percentage of 69.1.
• Mathematics - The percentage of students scoring at the Basic Level or above decreased from 88.1 to 86.5 percent; 7.9 points above the state percentage of 78.6.
• Science - The percentage of students scoring at the Basic Level or above decreased from 61.9 to 54.1 percent; 2.2 points above the state percentage of 51.9.
• Social Studies- The percentage of students scoring at the Basic Level or above decreased from 74 to 71.7 percent; 4 points above the state percentage of 67.7.

Grade 7

• English Language Arts - The percentage of students scoring at the Basic Level or above decreased from 80.6 to 80.4 percent; 10.3 points above the state percentage of 70.1.
• Mathematics - The percentage of students scoring at the Basic Level or above increased from 81.7 to 84 percent; 9.2 points above the state percentage of 74.8.
• Science - The percentage of students scoring at the Basic Level or above decreased from 65.9 to 61.6 percent; 4.6 points above the state percentage of 57.
• Social Studies- The percentage of students scoring at the Basic Level or above decreased from 64.5 to 61.1 percent; 7.2 points above the state percentage of 53.9.

Grade 8

• English Language Arts - The percentage of students scoring at the Basic Level or above decreased from 81.8 to 80.4 percent; 7.7 points above the state percentage of 72.7.
• Mathematics - The percentage of students scoring at the Basic Level or above decreased from 75.9 to 74.2 percent; 8.9 points above the state percentage of 65.3.
• Science - The percentage of students scoring at the Basic Level or above increased from 64.6 to 65.3 percent; 5.2 points above the state percentage of 60.1.
• Social Studies- The percentage of students scoring at the Basic Level or above increased from 70.5 to 74.9 percent; 7.5 points above the state percentage of 67.4.

To see PACT scores for individual schools as well as scores for the district, visit the S.C. Department of Education website.