Lexington District 1: Mixed Results on 2012 Exit Exam

Results were mixed for Lexington School District 1 students on the S.C. exit exam.

The district's four high schools outperformed the state as a whole, with 91 percent of passing the English portion and 88.8 percent passing the mathematics portion on the first try in 2012.

But two high schools — Lexington and White Knoll — outpaced the rest of the state, while the other two — Gilbert and Pelion — lagged.

At , 93.6 percent passed English/ language arts and 92.9 passed mathematics. Nearly 750 students took the test for the first time in 2012.

At , 92.1 percent passed English/ language arts and 86.4 passed mathematics. More than 450 students took the test.

At Gilbert High School, 86.8 percent passed English and 84.7 percent passed mathematics. More than 220 students took the test.

At Pelion High School, 82.6 percent passed English and 82.8 percent passed mathematics. More than 170 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.