Greenville County Schools Tackle Underperformance Challenges with New Improvement Strategies

Greenville County Schools Address New Underperformance Rankings

Greenville, South Carolina – Five schools in Greenville County have been officially designated as underperforming by state education authorities during the recent Committee of the Whole meeting held by the district’s Board of Trustees. The meeting took place on Tuesday morning, and board members engaged in discussions focusing on the challenges these schools face, including significant language barriers between students and teachers.

Who is Affected?

The schools identified as underperforming include:

• Alexander Elementary School
• Armstrong Elementary School
• Duncan Chapel Elementary School
• Hollis Academy
• Tanglewood Middle School

According to Tim Waller from Greenville County Schools (GCS), these schools, which fall below average on the state’s performance report card, contribute to a total of 10 schools within the district identified for underperformance. This number represents less than 5% of the 214 schools across the state that have received similar designations.

What Are the Challenges?

During the discussions, board member Lynda Leventis-Wells highlighted that many of the affected students come from diverse backgrounds. “Some of them have never been in school,” she explained. “Some of them don’t speak any English whatsoever, and they get frustrated. How would you feel if you couldn’t communicate?”

The underperformance classification is not solely based on academic results; it encompasses various factors, including:

• Student Progress: The rate at which students advance compared to state-wide expectations.
• Climate Surveys: Yearly evaluations that assess the school’s learning environment.
• Socio-economic Factors: Issues like poverty and high student transience affect academic performance, especially among a growing population of multilingual learners.

What Actions Are Being Taken?

To tackle these pressing challenges, the GCS has laid out a strategy aimed at improving student achievement. This plan includes:

• Extra Support: Focusing on individualized attention for students with academic weaknesses.
• After-School Programs: Offering additional educational activities beyond regular school hours.
• High-Quality Materials: Ensuring teachers have access to effective instructional resources.
• Teacher Recruitment: Attracting and keeping exceptional educators within the district.
• Collaborative Planning: Involving community stakeholders in shaping educational strategies.

What is the Plan Going Forward?

As part of the process, the underperforming schools must develop a Turnaround Plan, also known as a Continuous Improvement Plan. This plan will consist of measurable goals, evidence-based strategies, evaluation methods to assess success, collaborative planning, and ongoing monitoring to track progress quarterly.

Royster, another board member, pointed out potential flaws in the current testing system. He emphasized the difficulty teachers face in teaching all required materials due to limited time. “It might cover 25 of the standards that were taught and 10 that were not taught because the teacher did not have sufficient time,” he said.

Current Status of Improvement Programs

Both Alexander Elementary School and Lakeview Middle School are currently participants in the GCS’s Elevate Plan, designed specifically to uplift underperforming schools. While results are still forthcoming for this four-year pilot initiative, the district hopes to foster a culture centered on education and effective instruction by retaining qualified teaching staff.

As the district continues to navigate these challenges, it remains a priority to enhance the educational landscape for all students in Greenville County, aiming for significant improvements in the upcoming years.