GCS Students Exceed State Averages on End-of-Course Exams
Greenville County middle and high school students continue to score above the state average on the End-of-Course exams. The End-of-Course exam score counts 20% percent of a student’s final grade in the course.
In 2016-2017, End-of-Course exams were administered in Algebra I (middle and high school), English I (middle and high school), Biology I (high school), and U.S. History and Constitution (high school).
Greenville County Schools EOCEP passage rates and mean scale scores decreased in all subject areas from 2016 to 2017. Passage rates and mean scale score decreases in GCS mirror decreases for all South Carolina students.
Changes in 2016-17
A new South Carolina Uniform Grading Policy became effective for the 2016-2017 school year. Letter grades now reflect the following scale score ranges:
- A = 90-100
- B = 80-89
- C = 70-79
- D = 60-69
- F = 0-59
For the 2016-2017 administrations of the Algebra I and English I End of Course exams, the achievement standards were reset by the South Carolina Department of Education for the following reasons: 1) South Carolina has moved to College-and Career-Ready Standards, 2) to reflect revisions in Algebra and English content standards, 3) to reflect changes in federal accountability requirements, and 4) to reflect changes in the South Carolina Uniform Grading Policy. The Algebra I and English I exams are now more difficult as a result of the achievement standards resetting process.
The Biology I and US History and the Constitution tests were adjusted to reflect the changes in the South Carolina Uniform Grading Policy.
Due to the adjustments in the achievement levels for the 2016-2017 End of Course exams, data from previous years is not directly comparable to the current scores.
| Empty Header | Empty Header | GCS | SC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Algebra I* | % Passing | 78.5% | 74.7% |
| Empty Header | Mean Scale Score | 71.8 | 69.4 |
| English I* | % Passing | 79.4% | 76.8% |
| Empty Header | Mean Scale Score | 73.2 | 71.4 |
| Biology I | % Passing | 77.3% | 73.7% |
| Empty Header | Mean Scale Score | 77.2 | 75.3 |
| U.S. History | % Passing | 76.2% | 67.8% |
| Empty Header | Mean Scale Score | 73.3 | 69.3 |
*Algebra I and English I scores include exams taken by middle school students.