Greenville, SC -- More than 70 percent of Greenville County Schools (59 schools) received Absolute ratings of Excellent, Good, or Average on their School Report Cards, up from 58 schools in 2007. The school district received an Absolute rating of Average on the 2008 Report Card, maintaining the same rating it earned in 2007.
Twelve schools improved their Absolute ratings, 61 schools maintained their ratings, and 10 schools received a lower Absolute rating.
Absolute Ratings
The Absolute ratings for elementary and middle schools are based on PACT Performance levels for English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Middle school ratings also include performance on the End-of-Course test scores.
For high schools, the Absolute rating is based on four criteria:
- Percentage of students who pass the high school exit exam by spring graduation or by the end of the summer following their on-time graduation;
- Percentage of students who pass the high school exit exam on the first attempt;
- Percentage of all students passing the End of Course tests; and
- On-time Graduation rate
For career centers, the Absolute rating is based on three criteria:
- Percentage of students who earn a 2.0 or above on the final career and technology courses;
- Number of career and technology completers who are available for placement in either post-secondary instruction, military services, or employment; and
- Graduation rate
It is important to note that each year the State’s Absolute Rating criteria become more challenging. This means that it is more difficult each year for the district and individual schools to obtain an Excellent, Good or Average rating. Even if a school maintains its current level of performance, it is not guaranteed that the school will receive the same Absolute rating.
Growth Ratings
In 2008, 41.7 percent of schools received Excellent, Good, or Average Growth ratings, as compared to 25.2 percent in 2007.
Schools |
2007-08 |
2006-07 |
2005-06 |
2004-05 |
2003-04 |
Excellent |
13.1% |
6.0% |
7.4% |
7.2% |
10.6% |
Good |
14.3% |
9.6% |
16.0% |
15.7% |
15.3% |
Average |
14.3% |
9.6% |
8.6% |
7.2% |
7.1% |
Below Average |
34.5% |
28.9% |
19.8% |
22.9% |
22.4% |
At-Risk |
23.8% |
45.8% |
48.1% |
47.0% |
44.7% |
Thirty-eight schools raised their Growth rating, 30 maintained their Growth rating, and 15 schools received a lower Growth rating. The Growth rating for elementary and middle schools longitudinally compares students’ test scores from one year to the next. For example, an elementary school’s Growth rating is based on the increase or decrease of students’ PACT scores as they progress from 3rd to 4th grade and from 4th to 5th grade.
High school and career center Growth ratings are based on the overall performance of the school from one year to the next based on the Absolute rating criteria. Schools
Showing Significant Improvement
|
Abs. 07 |
Abs. 08 |
Growth 07 |
Growth 08 |
Grad Rate 07 |
Grad Rate 08 |
Berea HS |
U |
A |
U |
E |
62.0 |
73.5 |
Greer HS |
B |
A |
B |
G |
68.0 |
72.1 |
Hillcrest HS |
A |
G |
U |
E |
73.3 |
80.7 |
Woodmont HS |
B |
A |
U |
E |
59.3 |
62.3 |
Blythe Acad. |
A |
G |
B |
G |
|
|
Oakview ES |
E |
E* |
G |
E |
|
|
Skyland ES |
A |
G |
B |
E |
|
|
League Acad. |
A |
G |
U |
B |
|
|
Sevier MS |
B |
A |
U |
A |
|
|
- Schools with impressive graduation rate improvements: Southside HS (54.2%-63.0%), Travelers Rest HS (54.2%-61.8%), Carolina HS (41.8%-51.4%), Wade Hampton HS (74.7%-85.6%) ·
- Oakview ES and Riverside HS have earned an Excellent Absolute Rating all years since Report Cards have been used (2000-2001)
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