Year after year, the current school board has failed to address widening gaps in student achievement—gaps that impact Black, Hispanic, and low-income students the most. While some students thrive, many are left behind, facing the largest disparities in the entire state. The latest report card data released earlier this month by the South Carolina Department of Education shows Richland One’s clear failure to provide equitable education.
Academic Achievement
In Richland One, 85% of white students in 3rd through 8th grade meet academic expectations in English or Math. Only 38.4% of African American students and 45.2% Hispanic students meet expectations. Only Charleston County has larger achievement gaps.
College or Career Readiness
While 85.1% of white students in Richland One are college or career ready, only 51.5% of African American students and 61.2% of Hispanic learners meet this benchmark. These disparities represent the third and fourth largest achievement gaps in the state.
Achievement for Students in Poverty
Certain members of the school board frequently use poverty as an excuse, but other districts facing similar challenges are doing far better for all students.
Only 38.9% of Richland One 3rd through 8th graders in poverty meet expectations in ELA or math compared to 79.3% of their peers. Only Allendale has larger gaps. Additionally, just 49.8% of students in poverty are college or career ready compared to 83.6% of their peers. Richland One is tied with Chester and Greenwood for this fifth largest achievement gap in the state.
The sad truth is that our elected leaders are failing Black, Hispanic, and low-income students in Richland One. It is the job of the school board to ensure every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to succeed. Our children deserve more than excuses—they deserve leaders with the will to act.
