South Carolina Course Alignment Project Environmental Scan What is an environmental scan? An environmental scan is designed to identify key issues of policy and practice in an area of interest so that action can be taken. By definition, an environmental scan focuses upon areas of concern. However, the results of an environmental scan are not designed to be either an indictment or endorsement of the current way of doing business since the environmental scan is undertaken to highlight issues in terms of strengths and areas of potential change. While the results of an environmental scan may be difficult to view objectively by some, particularly those most involved in the field under analysis, the intent is to present data, not to reach judgments; the goal is to provide a starting point for contrasting “what is” with “what ought to be.” Such a process is also widely known as a discrepancy analysis. Here we present the first phase (the “what is”) for a series of issues related to high school completion and college attendance in South Carolina. The results of this scan can help all involved in the South Carolina educational system, both secondary and postsecondary, to understand and reach agreement on potential actions that are necessary to improve the alignment of high school and postsecondary systems in the state. Key Characteristics of the South Carolina Environmental Scan Focusing on the high school- to-college connection The South Carolina environmental scan focuses on the high school-to- college connection. Data were gathered from available sources that provide information on high school performance in college preparatory courses, high school completion, and postsecondary participation. The goal is to highlight the current state of student transition from high school to postsecondary education in South Carolina. The challenge is that available data sources do not fully illuminate this issue because the available measures do not necessarily directly gauge student possession of the knowledge and skills necessary for postsecondary participation and success. The available data do, however, provide some general insight into the relationship between high school and postsecondary educational systems. Like many states, South Carolina faces a major challenge in developing an environmental scan of education because of the lack of a unified data system which contains information on both high school and postsecondary education. Most of the information is found in one or another of the systems, but not both. The current scan, therefore, has been developed with this limitation. Nevertheless, the facts presented are illuminating in many ways and provide information about the historical development of K-12 and postsecondary education in South Carolina. The historical development of the two educational systems explains many current aspects of these systems and their relationship to each other. These factors should be fully acknowledged when assessing many elements which are presented in the environmental scan. The scan stands as a very good baseline to assess what exists in both educational systems and is the basis for planning for the changes South Carolina must undergo to meet the dramatic, global challenges of the current century. The scan will also allow policymakers to consider how best to articulate useful goals and success markers as change takes place. Within the context of the South Carolina Course Alignment Project, the scan helps explain why many of the specific activities of the South Carolina CourseAlignment Project are being undertaken. By describing and identifying through the data presented both challenges and opportunities in the state, the scan also suggests ways in which K-12 and postsecondary educators will want to consider working together closely in order to increase the numbers and proportion of students in postsecondary education.  Key Points and Observations from the South Carolina Environmental Scan Despite data collection limitations, this section of the environmental scan identifies key points from available data sources about important issues related to the high school-to-college connection in South Carolina. Together, these data provide a baseline for understanding the South Carolina educational context as well as an empirical foundation for launching the South Carolina CourseAlignment Project. This section also includes general observations derived from the key points about the challenges and opportunities available in South Carolina. The general observations are areas that can be targeted for potential change and success. This section serves as the preliminary analysis for the South Carolina CourseAlignment Project and helps frame the conversation about how to improve alignment between high school and college. Issue: Assessments Key Points Academic performance Only 56.9% of South The composite 2007 South Carolina by the best high school Carolina students SAT score (in critical student SAT scores students, as indicated takingAP exams in reading and math) for are underrepresented byAP participation and 2006 scored a 3 or seniors is the lowest in the top 20% of scores onAP exams, higher, compared to among the 24 states student scores is slightly below the 61.0% nationally. [1] that use the SAT as nationally. Only 14% national average. In their primary of South Carolina 2006, 22.0% of South admissions test. students scored in the Carolina high school South Carolinaʼs top 20% of students students took an exam average score was nationally. [3] before graduating, 984, compared to an compared to 24.2% average of 1,008 in nationally. [1] these 24 states. [2] Observations • South Carolina does have in place a system of standards and assessments that can become better aligned with postsecondary expectations over time, both for two- and four-year institutions. • Although AP participation, AP performance, and SAT scores are not at optimal levels, the potential exists to strengthen student performance on these tests through better alignment with college readiness expectations as well as through proper course selection. • Additional programs focused on providing students with more college-like experiences in high school can help raise expectations in this area.  Issue: Standards and Alignment Key Points The South Carolina system of K-12 standards K-12 standards were recently revised and now and assessments has not been systematically compare better to best practice standards from aligned with the knowledge and skills exemplar states and national organizations. [6] necessary for postsecondary readiness. [4, 5] Observations • Thestatealreadyhasachallengingsetofcourserequirementsforhighschoolgraduation.These requirements create the potential for better alignment with colleges because all students must take at least math and English during their senior year, and many will likely be taking science and social studies as well. • Significant efforts for remedial education will always be necessary given that many adults return tocollegeafterbeingoutofschoolforanumberofyearsandneedadditionalsupport.Nevertheless, remediation rates for students who come directly from high school to college can be reduced substantially with better alignment of courses. Issue: College Readiness Key Points Math and computer Approximately one-third of South Carolina In 2006, 40% of enrolled science courses had the college students report taking at least one college undergraduates lowest passage rates remedial course during college. Most of this were male; 60% were (78%) for courses remedial coursework occurs in two-year female. [15] The completed during the public institutions due to policies that implications of this first year of college at discourage public four-year institutions emerging educational four-year institutions. from offering remedial or “developmental” attainment gap should These subjects credit-bearing courses. Four-year be considered in represent critical areas institutions can and do provide academic planning for South for preparing for support to students who arrive in college Carolinaʼs future. success in the 21st needing additional help. [16] Century economy. [14] Observations • Few measures exist to gauge how well high school graduates in South Carolina are prepared for postsecondary learning, but current participation and persistence rates suggest that improvements in readiness could lead to increases in postsecondary enrollment and improved persistence.  Issue: High School Course Enrollment Key Points As presented in Figure 1, in science, 34% of Figure 1 also shows that the percentage of South Carolina high school students enroll in at students enrolling in upper-level science and least one upper-level science course compared math courses in South Carolina has increased to 40-44% of students in the top three states in by approximately 13% in each subject between the nation (Pennsylvania, Iowa, and West 1992 and 2006. This change is due in part both Virginia). Most recently, 49% of South Carolina to increased high school graduation high school students took at least one upper- requirements and increased statewide pre- level high school math course, compared to college course requirements. [3] 64-74% of students taking upper-level math in the top three states in the nation (Texas, North Carolina, and Utah). [7] Figure : Course-Taking Patterns of South Carolina High School Students Compared to Top Performing States 75 64-74% 70 65 60 h 55 a Ut 50 a, n 49% oli 45 ar C 40-44% h 40 a, ort w N 3350 34% ania,IoVirginia 36% Texas, 25 nsylvWest n e P 20 21% th-thgraderstudentstakingat th-thgraderstudentstakingat leastoneupper-levelsciencecourse leastoneupper-levelmathcourse SouthCarolina SouthCarolina TopThreeStates Source:NationalCenterforPublicPolicyandHigherEducation,MeasuringUp:TheStateReportCardonHigherEducation,South Carolina2006. RetrievedJuly31,2007fromhttp://measuringup.highereducation.org  Issue: High School Graduation Key Points Table 1 presents the required Table 2 lists high school Depending on the source high school courses for graduation rates as reported by figures used, the high school earning a standard diploma in the South Carolina Department of graduation rate fluctuates South Carolina. Students are Education. These data reveal from nearly 50% to almost required to take four years of achievement gaps: white students 75% (see Table 2 and Figure math and English, and three graduate at a higher rate (80%) 2 for two different examples). years of science and social than black (67%) and Hispanic Either figure places South sciences. No other state (58%) students; females (80%) Carolina among the lowest in requires more course credits graduate from high school at a the nation. [4, 5, 9-12] for high school graduation (in higher rate than males (69%); Carnegie units) than South and the graduation rate for Free Carolina. [8] and Reduced Price Lunch eligible students (64%) is lower than the overall graduation rate for all students (74%). [12] Observations • Numerous national surveys suggest that the vast majority of high school students, regardless of ethnic or racial group, indicate they hope to attend college. The current gap in South Carolina high schoolgraduationratesbetweenwhitestudentsandstudentsfromethnicandracialminoritygroups suggeststhatattemptstoengagethesestudentsinactivitiesconnectedwithpostsecondaryaccess and success could help close the gap in graduation rates. Table : Required High School Courses for Earning a Standard Diploma Required High School Credits Number of Credits English/Language Arts  Mathematics  Science  History/Social Studies  Foreign Language or  Career Technology Physical Education  Other Credits  Total Required Credits  Source:SouthCarolinaDepartmentofEducation,CurriculumandStandards2006.RetrievedJuly17,2007from http://ed.sc.gov/agency/offices/cso  Table : High School Graduation Rate: South Carolina Report Card Data Student Type  Graduation Rate All Students % Male % Female % White % Black % Hispanic % Asian/Pacific Islander % American Indian n/a Disabled % Limited English Proficient (LEP) % Free & Reduced Price Lunch Eligible % Source:SouthCarolinaDepartmentofEducation,2006EAAReportCardExcelFiles-PerformanceHigh.2006,Author:Columbia,SC. Note:Thesedatarepresentthehighestgraduationfiguresreported;othersources(seeTable3forexample)reportthegraduationratein SouthCarolinaaslowas49%. Figure : State Education Pipeline Comparing South Carolina with the National Average 70 n a 68% m 65 h s re 60 f ol o 55 ranked h c lowest s 50 h g 49% hi 45    40 y 40% r ve 35 ranked2nd e lowest of 30 nt 29% e 25 ranked2nd 27% c r lowest e P 20 ranked6th 20% 15 lowest 18% g1r3a%duatefrom arestillenrolledincollege immediately graduatefromhigh collegeontime theirsophomoreyear entercollege schoolontime SouthCarolina NationalAverage Source:AchieveInc.,ClosingtheExpectationsGap2006:AnAnnual50-StateProgressReportontheAlignmentofHighSchool PolicieswiththeDemandsofCollegeandWork.2006,Author:Washington,DC.  Issue: College Enrollment Key Points 29% of South Carolina Abouttwo-thirdsof The proportion of South Carolina students enroll in SouthCarolinahigh South Carolina families who send a college by the age of 19. schoolgraduateswent residents aged 18-24 child to public This percentage is lower onimmediatelytosome in 2005 who have colleges in-state than 47 other states formofpostsecondary gone to college or hold devote a larger primarily because the educationinFall2004. a postsecondary proportion of their proportion of students Thisimmediate credential ranks 43rd income to the cost who graduate from high matriculationrateranks in the nation, indicating than do families in school in South Carolina SouthCarolinathird that South Carolinaʼs most other states within four years is amongall young people are less nationally. [7] lower. The top three SouthernRegional likely to attend college states (Minnesota, New EducationBoard if they do not do so Jersey, and North (SREB)states.[13] immediately upon Dakota) enroll 53-62% Tables3and4report graduating from high of students in college by theratesof school. This relatively the age of 19. [7] collegeenrollmentfor low proportion also allhighschool likely reflects the low graduates(Table3)and high school graduation byinstitutionaltype rate. [5] (Table4).  Table : College Enrollment by Postsecondary Program Type for  South Carolina Public High School Graduates Program Type*  Enrollment Rate Four-Year Degree Program % Two-Year Degree Program % Other Postsecondary Degree Program % Did Not Pursue Postsecondary Education % Source:SouthCarolinaDepartmentofEducation,2005-06CollegeFreshmanReport.2006,Author:Columbia,SC. *Includesallpublicandindependentin-stateandout-of-stateinstitutionsofhighereducationaswellasalltechnicalandregionaltwo- yearcolleges.Alsoincludesthosewhohavealreadyearnedatechnicalcertificate. Table :  South Carolina Postsecondary Schools and Enrollment % of South Carolina Number of Colleges Postsecondary and Universities Enrollment Research Institutions  . Teaching Institutions  . Public Two-Year Regional  . Public Technical Colleges  . Independent -Year  . Independent -Year  . Total  . Source:SouthCarolinaCommissiononHigherEducation,SouthCarolinaHigherEducationStatisticalAbstract. 2007,Author:Columbia,SC  Issue: Postsecondary Completion Key Points The six-year degree completion rate for students at South Carolinaʼs public four-year institutions was 60% for the 1999 beginning cohort, exceeding the 52% average completion rate for the Southern Regional Educational Board (SREB) states. For the cohort that began in 2002, the completion rate at South Carolinaʼs public two-year institutions was 13%, which was lower than the 17% average for the SREB states. The transfer rate for the same cohort was 14% for South Carolina and 17% regionally. [19] Issue: Retention Key Points 58% of South Carolina The rate at which full-time students are South Carolina students who do not retained places South Carolinaʼs four- postsecondary require remediation will year institutions in the middle when institutions retain full-time earn a baccalaureate compared to all other states, while the students at a much degree within eight years. state ranks much lower in the retention higher rate than part-time Only 17% of students of part-time students at four-year students. See Table 5 for who require remediation institutions. Table 6 breaks down the the breakdown of South will receive a retention rates in South Carolina by Carolinaʼs full- and part- baccalaureate degree student and institutional type and time student retention at within eight years. [17] includes a national comparison. [16] two- and four-year institutions. [16] Observations • The retention rate of first-time degree-seeking students at public two- and four-year institutions suggests that improvement in alignment between high school and college expectations might be a potential means to improve the retention rate. 