Staff reports | Results from end-of-year examination scores revealed that South Carolina students are struggling in U.S. history, algebra and biology.
More than a third of high school students failed algebra last year and 24% got a “D.” They scored even worse in history and biology with a mean of 65% and 66%, respectively.
The culprit: Pandemic-related learning loss, education officials suspect.
State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman said more work needed to be done to help students recover: “Preparing students to meet college and career-readiness standards must not just be an aspiration in our state,” she said, according to published reports. “It’s a responsibility that all of us must play a role in as we pursue meaningful solutions.
In other headlines:
VP Harris challenges S.C. State freshmen to lead. Vice President Kamala Harris told the incoming freshmen class at South Carolina State University on Tuesday that America needs their leadership at a time when many rights are being taken for granted. “In moments of great crisis our nation has almost every time turned to our young leaders to help guide us forward,” Harris told nearly 1,700 students, faculty and staff at the university’s Fall Convocation during which the university welcomed 900 newly enrolled freshmen, the largest class in 15 years.
S.C.’s five women senators seek admonition for Upstate colleague. South Carolina’s five women state senators, including Charleston Republican Sandy Senn and four others, have criticized state Sen. Josh Kimbrell, R-Spartanburg, for a threat to cut off one of the women’s caucus funding due to a position over abortion.
S.C. law expands kinship care. Gov. Henry McMaster signed into law the expansion of its kinship law, which is when a loved one cares for a child when their parent is not able to do so, to now include “fictive kin,” which refers to those who are not related to the child by birth, adoption or marriage, but have a significant relationship with them.
SC-1: Andrews failed to disclose finances for months. Dr. Annie Andrews only recently released her document after the S.C. Republican Party filed a formal complaint to the House Committee on Ethics. Andrews is the Democratic candidate in the 1st Congressional District race against incumbent Rep. Nancy Mace, R-Charleston. Andrews’ campaign said the failed disclosure was an oversight.
Hiers removed from national most wanted list. Former Charleston police officer Dan Hiers, who has been on the lam for 17 years, has officially been removed from the U.S. Marshals Service’s list of the top 15 suspects they’re pursuing. Hiers is still wanted, but was removed from the list to make room for more priority criminals.
RiverDogs take minor league title again. The Charleston RiverDogs won its second consecutive minor-league baseball title Tuesday night as it beat the Lynchburg Hillcats with a 6-2 win on the road. According to the RiverDogs, “For the first 41 years of the franchise’s history, the team went without winning a championship. Since becoming a Tampa Rays affiliate prior to the 2021 season, the team has posted the best record in Minor League Baseball and earned back-to-back titles.”
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!