Berkeley Schools: Results Mixed for 2012 Exit Exam

Results were mixed for Berkeley School District students on the S.C. exit exam.

Four of the district's seven high schools scored equal or better than the state average and three scored worse. Overall, 90.4 percent of passing the English portion and 83.6 percent passing the mathematics portion on the first try in 2012.

At Stratford High School, 93 percent passed English and 87.3 percent passed mathematics. Nearly 50 students took the test.

At Cane Bay High School, 92.7 percent passed English/ language arts and 84.4 passed mathematics. Nearly 375 students took the test.

At , 91.6 percent passed English and 86.9 percent passed mathematics. Nearly 240 students took the test.

At , 88.8 percent passed English and 84.6 percent passed mathematics. More than 450 students took the test.

At Berkeley High School, 88.4 percent passed English/ language arts and 78.3 passed mathematics. More than 340 students took the test for the first time in 2012.

At Timberland High School, 86.9 percent passed English and 78 percent passed mathematics. Nearly 170 students took the test.

At Cross High School, 83.7 percent passed English and 76.7 percent passed mathematics. Nearly 50 students took the test.

Statewide, 80.1 percent of the more than 50,000 students taking the test passed both sections on the first attempt. Nearly 90 percent passed the English/ language arts section. More than 82 percent passed the mathematics portion.

Scores increased in mathematics for every student subgroup except one, but the scores for English-Language Arts declined in every student subgroup.

"English and mathematics are the foundational subjects in education. ... Students must master skills in both subjects to be successful in their lives after high school. To improve in both areas will require a personalized and customized education in grades K-8 so students are prepared for rigorous high school courses," said State Superintendent of Education Mick Zais in a prepared release.

High school students in South Carolina take the exit exam for the first time in the spring semester of their second year. Students cannot graduate high school in South Carolina without passing the exam.