Greenville County Schools Address Underperformance with New Strategies for Improvement

Greenville County Schools Tackle Challenges of Underperforming Schools

In Greenville, South Carolina, five schools have been added to the state’s list of underperforming schools. This announcement was made during the Committee of the Whole meeting held on Tuesday morning, where the district’s Board of Trustees discussed the pressing challenges these institutions face and the necessary actions to promote academic success.

Who and What

The schools now classified as underperforming include: Alexander Elementary School, Armstrong Elementary School, Duncan Chapel Elementary School, Hollis Academy, and Tanglewood Middle School. These designations are based on the schools receiving a score of below average or lower on the state’s report card.

Where and When

This announcement is significant for the Greenville County School District, which serves about 10% of the state’s student population. As of today, the district boasts a total of ten schools on the underperforming list, which constitutes less than 5% of the 214 schools labeled as underperforming statewide.

Why the Concern

Several factors contribute to these schools’ struggles. Board member Lynda Leventis-Wells highlighted that many of the children attending these schools may have never been enrolled in a school setting before or do not speak any English, creating a significant language barrier between students and teachers. This can lead to feelings of frustration among students, complicating their educational journey.

Challenges Faced

A few reasons contributing to the underperformance include:

• Student Progress: Schools can struggle if students are not making the expected grade-level progress compared to peers across South Carolina.
• Climate Surveys: Annual surveys that gather feedback about school environments can show inconsistent results, complicating evaluations.
• Socio-Economic Factors: Issues such as poverty, a high level of student transience, and a growing number of multi-lingual learners present significant academic obstacles.

What’s the Plan?

The school district plans to implement various strategies to help turn these schools around. According to Tim Waller, the district’s spokesperson, these strategies include:

• Providing extra support for students.
• Offering before and after-school programs.
• Addressing specific academic weaknesses through targeted remediation.
• Ensuring access to high-quality instructional materials.
• Recruiting and retaining excellent teachers.
• Engaging in collaborative planning to develop effective educational strategies.

Critical Insights

Board member Royster pointed out some flaws in the current testing system, noting that teachers often lack the time to cover all required subjects. This can lead to students being tested on material they have not been taught. He elaborated that accurately tracking a school’s progress can take three to five years.

Future Developments

Under state requirements, these underperforming schools must develop a Turnaround Plan, also known as a Continuous Improvement Plan. This plan will outline specific goals, strategies for improvement, evaluation measures, collaboration with stakeholders, and quarterly monitoring by the school district.

Currently, both Alexander Elementary School and Lakeview Middle School are part of the GCS’s Elevate Plan, aimed at boosting achievement in underperforming schools. While it may be too early to determine the success of this four-year pilot program, the district is optimistic about retaining high-quality teachers and fostering a culture of learning within these schools.

Understanding these efforts and challenges is crucial for the future success of students in the Greenville County School District. The community remains hopeful that these actions will effectively address the issues faced by the underperforming schools.