KCSD 2025-2026 state assessment scores show steady growth and continued momentum

On Monday, August 10, the South Carolina Department of Education released the 2025-2026 English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, and Science South Carolina College and Career Ready Assessments (SC READY) data for students in grades 3-8, and the 2025-2026 results for the End-of-Course Examination Program (EOCEP) and SC WIN Career Readiness Assessments.

This year’s Kershaw County School District assessment scores show steady growth and continued momentum toward district-wide academic goals.

"Our district’s latest assessment data indicates that our focus on clear and consistent core instruction is working. While there is still work to be done, we are confident that we are moving in the right direction as we continue to work together to ensure every KCSD student reaches their full potential," says KCSD Superintendent Harrison Goodwin.

KCSD highlights for 2025-2026 SC READY, EOCEP, and SC Career Readiness Assessments:

• Of 14 SCREADY categories (Grades 3-8 ELA, Grades 3-8 Math, Grades 4 and 6 Science), KCSD made gains over 2024-2025 results in 9 of the 14 tested grade levels and subjects for students scoring Meets or Exceeds. 

• All of our high schools exceeded the state average on the WIN Career Readiness Assessment in every area including Math, Data Analysis and Reading. WIN is administered to 11th-grade students, who earn a nationally recognized Work Ready Credential that verifies their job preparedness to employers in silver, gold and platinum certifications.

• Lugoff Elementary, Pine Tree Hill Elementary and Lugoff-Elgin Middle exceeded the state average in every SCREADY tested grade level and subject. 

• Camden High School showed growth in all EOC assessment categories including English II, Algebra I, US History and Biology I.

• Two elementary schools (Blaney Elementary and North Central Elementary) exceeded the state average in SCREADY in six out of seven tested grade levels and subjects. Wateree Elementary exceeded the state average in five out of seven tested grade levels and subjects.

• 31 KCSD students earned maximum scores on the SC READY assessment in English Language Arts, Mathematics, or Science last spring in grades 3–8, with two students making a maximum score on two tests.

• Overall, the district exceeded the state average in SCREADY middle school Science, with three out of four middle schools exceeding the state average.

• KCSD showed growth over 2024-2025 SCREADY English Language Arts results in 2025-2026 for students scoring Met or Exemplary in four out of seven tested grade levels.

• While we can’t directly compare this year’s math scores to past years because of SCDE standards and assessments changes, we can compare our growth to the rest of the state. KCSD met or exceeded state growth in four out of the seven tested grade levels on the math SC READY and EOC assessments.

“These results are a testament to the dedication of our teachers and administrators, the hard work of our students, and the strong partnership of our parents. We are proud of what we’ve accomplished together as a community, and we remain committed to the work ahead as we continue to build on this success,” says Goodwin.

View statewide assessment data on the SCDE website here: https://ed.sc.gov/data/test-scores/state-assessments.