PAIRS, a project of SC Daily Newspapers, is adminstered by the SC Education Oversight Committee (EOC)
The Crisis
South Carolina ranks last among states in graduation rates, graduating only 48% of 9th graders in four years.
Approximately, 200,000 students scored Below Proficient in reading on the 2004 PACT test in reading.
Recent research studies have shown an almost one-to-one correlation between reading proficiency and high school graduation. More specifically, in 2004 only 27% of fifth graders and 25% of seventh graders scored Proficient on the Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test (PACT), meaning they are prepared for the next grade level. Many of these students do not pick up the reading skills they need to prepare them for graduation and beyond. In fact, only half of those in the ninth grade today will ever graduate from high school.
It Could Happen
The good news is that for every ten additional students we can help to reach reading proficiency on the PACT, at least eight will graduate. Students' success depends on their contact with adults who encourage and inspire them to read outside of the classroom.
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