South-Carolina

South Carolina students’ test scores show some improvement

Published

2 hours ago

August 17, 2024

South Carolina students’ test scores show some improvement

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) – Test scores show South Carolina students are significantly behind where the state wants them to be in reading, writing and math.

Educators say some of these scores paint a troubling picture, while others show efforts to target pandemic learning loss are working.

On Friday, the South Carolina Department of Education released results from last year’s SC READY assessment.

That’s the annual test public-school students in third through eighth grade take – in math and English language arts.

“While there’s a lot to celebrate here, there’s also, I think, an urgent call for continued action,” said Patrick Kelly of the Palmetto State Teachers Association.

Scores show reading and writing is a brighter spot, with 53% of students performing at or above their grade level – the same as last year, and up from pre-pandemic scores.

That’s not the situation for math – for which only 42% of students across the state met their grade-level expectations – slightly up from last year, but still below where students were before COVID.

And the statewide averages in both areas fell far short of the South Carolina Department of Education’s goal of 75% of students testing at least at their grade level.

“I think that we’re seeing it’s attainable,” Kelly said. “It’s just going to take a lot of work, and we need to look at the places where we’re seeing positive momentum, and we need to replicate what they’re doing statewide.”

State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver says officials are encouraged by the growth in reading and writing scores and committed to tackling shortcomings in math.

“Our laser focus remains on providing a strong academic foundation in the fundamentals to ensure that every South Carolina student has the opportunity to meet their full potential,” she said.

The Department of Education has promised “urgent and targeted intervention” through a new program called the Palmetto Math Project.

Orangeburg County School District office

It says that will focus, in part, on providing intensive support to the lowest-performing schools, for both students and teachers.

It’s funded in the current state budget.

“Let’s put our money into the most valuable resource for students, which is dedicated time in an individualized learning environment with teachers,” Kelly said. “If we do that, we’ll get the gain. If we don’t, then I don’t think we’re going to get the return on investment we expect with this money.”

The Palmetto State Teachers Association says the statewide educator shortage plays a big role in these scores falling short of where state leaders want them – especially in high-need areas like math.

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South-Carolina

Florida woman found in South Carolina days after car discovered on train tracks

Published

9 hours ago

August 16, 2024

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Florida woman found in South Carolina days after car discovered on train tracks

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South Carolina authorities on Friday announced they found a 27-year-old Florida woman three days after she went missing in a rural area of Allendale County on Aug. 13.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) said Jessica Rapsys, of Jacksonville, had been found “safe” but did not provide further details about where or how authorities were able to locate her.

“Finding Jessica was a team effort,” Allendale County Sheriff James Freeman said in a Friday statement. “We all worked together and did not give up hope.”

Authorities were initially dispatched to the Steel Creek Plantation area after receiving a call about Rapsys’ disappearance.

FLORIDA WOMAN MISSING IN SOUTH CAROLINA AFTER VEHICLE FOUND WITH KEYS INSIDE

Jessica Rapsys has been found after she went missing from the Steel Creek Plantation area of Allendale, South Carolina, since the evening of Aug. 13. (Facebook)

Officials with the Allendale County Sheriff’s Office found her empty vehicle stuck on train tracks with the keys still inside on Tuesday night, authorities previously told Fox News Digital.

It remains unclear why Rapsys, of Jacksonville, was in the Creek Plantation area on Tuesday, Allendale County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Steven Robinson told Fox News Digital.

FAMED CALIFORNIA KIDNAPPING HOAXER SHERRI PAPINI BREATHES NEW LIFE INTO SCHOOLMATE’S 1998 DISAPPEARANCE

Rapsys’ vehicle was located on train tracks on a dirt road near Steel Creek Plantation in Allendale County on Aug. 13. (Google Maps)

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Rapsys’ father, Vid Rapsys, previously told Fox News Digital that the sheriff’s department and SLED “have been incredible and have been tirelessly searching with all conceivable methods.”

She has been transported to a local hospital for an evaluation and any medical treatment necessary, SLED said on Friday.

Audrey Conklin is a digital reporter for Fox News Digital and FOX Business. Email tips to audrey.conklin@fox.com or on Twitter at @audpants.

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South-Carolina

Showdown vs. Indiana highlights South Carolina MBB’s non-conference slate for new season

Published

16 hours ago

August 16, 2024

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Showdown vs. Indiana highlights South Carolina MBB’s non-conference slate for new season

The South Carolina men’s basketball schedule is starting to take shape.

The Gamecocks’ non-conference schedule was released on Friday and features a pair of road matchups with Power 4 opponents Indiana and Boston College and a trip to Florida for the Fort Myers Tip-Off Classic.

USC’s trip to Indiana will be on Nov. 16 and just the fourth matchup between the two schools. The Gamecocks will play in the Fort Myers’ Tip-Off Classic and open up with Xavier on Nov. 25. Xavier coach Sean Miller was a candidate for the USC job back in 2022. USC also will play either Michigan or Virginia Tech in the second game of the tournament.

USC also will head to Boston College on Dec. 3 as part of the Southeastern Conference/Atlantic Conference challenge. BC is coached by former College of Charleston coach Earl Grant and former Clemson player Joshua Beadle is on the BC roster.

USC’s rivalry matchup with Clemson will be at home on Dec. 17.

The Southeastern Conference schedule will be announced at a later date.

The Gamecocks are coming off a 26-win season and trip to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017. USC’s 15-win improvement was tied for second-best in the country.

USC tied a program-record with 13 SEC wins.

The Gamecocks return all-SEC freshman Colin Murray-Boyles and have three key transfers in Nick Pringle (Alabama), forward Jordan Butler (Missouri) and guard Jamarii Thomas (Norfolk State) as well as local freshman Cam Scott.

USC Basketball 2024-25 Schedule

Nov. 4 vs. North Florida

Nov. 8 vs. SC State

Nov. 12 vs. Towson

Nov. 16 at Indiana

Nov. 21 vs. Mercer

Nov. 25 vs. Xavier – Fort Myers Tip-Off – 8:30 p.m. on FS1

Nov. 27 vs. Michigan/Virginia Tech – Fort Myers Tip-Off 6/8:30 p.m. on FS1

Dec. 3 at Boston College

Dec. 7 vs. East Carolina

Dec. 14 vs. USC Upstate

Dec. 17 vs. Clemson

Dec. 22 vs. Radford

Dec. 30 vs. Presbyterian

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South-Carolina

Search ongoing for 27-year-old Naperville native, whose car, belongings found on SC railroad tracks

Published

23 hours ago

August 16, 2024

Press Room

Search ongoing for 27-year-old Naperville native, whose car, belongings found on SC railroad tracks

Jessica Rapsys, currently living in Florida, was traveling to see family, police said

ALLENDALE, S.C. — There’s a search happening now for a woman originally from Naperville.

Jessica Rapsys, 27, disappeared while traveling from Florida to South Carolina to visit family, WJBF reported.

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She was last seen Tuesday evening in Allendale, South Carolina.

SEE ALSO: Merrillville woman found dead in pond in Crown Point after going missing from Lake County Fair

Police found her car abandoned later that night, stuck on railroad tracks. The woman’s keys, shoes and cell phone were still inside.

The local sheriff said the search effort includes helicopters and a team of dogs.

He said her car was still warm, but had been sitting for a while on private property on Creek Plantation.

Rapsys was most recently living in Jacksonville, Florida.

Those who believe they might have information on her disappearance or where she might be are asked to call the Allendale County Sheriff’s Office at (803) 584-7067, or leave a tip with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, or SLED, through Crimestoppers at www.888crimesc.com or by phone at 1-888-CRIMESC or 1-888-274-6372.

ABC News contributed to this report.

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