Greenville County Schools Face Challenges with New Underperforming Designations
Greenville, SC – Five schools in Greenville County have recently been classified as underperforming according to South Carolina’s educational standards. The announcement was made during the Committee of the Whole meeting held on Tuesday morning, where the district’s Board of Trustees addressed the various issues that are contributing to the challenges faced by these schools.
What Schools Are Affected?
The schools that have received the underperforming designation include:
- Alexander Elementary School
- Armstrong Elementary School
- Duncan Chapel Elementary School
- Hollis Academy
- Tanglewood Middle School
These schools are now part of a total of 10 institutions in Greenville County that are classified as underperforming, which is less than 5% of the 214 schools identified statewide. Despite this, Greenville County serves around 10% of the state’s student population, highlighting the importance of addressing these issues.
Reasons for Underperformance
Several factors contribute to the underperformance of these schools. Key issues discussed included:
- Language Barriers: Many students face communication challenges as a significant number do not speak English. According to board member Lynda Leventis-Wells, “Some of them have never been in school… they get frustrated. How would you feel if you couldn’t communicate?”
- Student Progress: Individual student progress is essential for school performance ratings. If students lag behind their peers from across the state, the school suffers.
- Socio-Economic Factors: High poverty rates and a fluctuating population put additional stress on these educational facilities.
- Testing Flaws: There are concerns about the current testing system, as highlighted by Royster, who noted that teachers often lack the time to teach all required topics, resulting in tests that cover material not taught.
Plans for Improvement
To improve the conditions of these underperforming schools, the district is implementing several strategies. Tim Waller emphasized that schools will receive additional support, including:
- Before and after-school programs to provide extra academic assistance.
- Remediation efforts targeting specific academic weaknesses.
- Access to high-quality instructional materials.
- Recruitment and retention of skilled teachers.
- Collaborative planning among staff to innovate teaching approaches.
Furthermore, all underperforming schools in South Carolina must develop a Turnaround Plan to boost student achievement. This plan includes setting clear, measurable goals, implementing evidence-based strategies, and regular evaluations to track progress.
Long-term Goals
At the meeting, leaders discussed the ongoing efforts through programs like the GCS Elevate Plan, which is designed to enhance the achievement levels of underperforming schools. While it is early to assess the effectiveness of this four-year pilot program, the district remains hopeful that it will foster a learning environment that prioritizes academic success.
It is worth noting that some elementary schools have successfully improved their standings. Both Sue Cleveland and Grove Elementary Schools are no longer categorized as underperforming this year, demonstrating that progress is achievable.
Conclusion
As Greenville County Schools confront the challenges of underperformance, the focus remains on fostering a supportive learning atmosphere that meets the diverse needs of all students. By implementing strategic plans and addressing the root causes of underperformance, the district is committed to ensuring academic success for every student involved.
