News Summary

The Aiken County Public School District recently held its ‘Stars of Public Education’ event, honoring educators despite looming concerns about school safety. Amidst accolades, the district confronts challenges regarding safety measures, as many schools lack full-time resource officers. Additionally, academic performance has seen mixed results, with some students scoring below state averages. These issues highlight the need for improvement in both safety and educational outcomes in the community.

Aiken Celebrates Educational Excellence Amid Safety Concerns

In the vibrant city of Aiken, excitement filled the air as the Aiken County Public School District held its much-anticipated Stars of Public Education event at Aiken High School on March 20, 2023. This annual ceremony shines a spotlight on the incredible achievements of educators, leaders, and support staff who play a pivotal role in influencing the lives of students and fostering flourishing school communities.

At the award ceremony, notable accolades were handed out across seven district-wide categories, with winners receiving not only a commemorative plaque but also a monetary award, a trophy, and a prestigious gold ring! Such recognition serves as a lovely reminder of the positive impacts these dedicated individuals have on our youth.

Balancing Achievements with Concerns

Despite the joyful atmosphere, there’s an undercurrent of concern regarding school safety in Aiken County. The recent arrest of two men for child sex crimes by the Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office has put the spotlight on the urgent need for increased security measures in schools. Currently, Aiken County holds the unfortunate title of having the most campuses without a full-time school resource officer (SRO) in South Carolina. An alarming 15 campuses within the district are without this critical protection.

In a larger context, Horry County leads with 29 campuses lacking a full-time SRO, while Aiken County is closely followed by Florence County, which shares the same challenge. School officials in Aiken County are actively seeking state funding to boost the number of SROs, a move that reflects ongoing safety concerns. Governor Henry McMaster has even requested $21.1 million for school security staffing, highlighting the necessity of addressing the needs across 177 schools that currently do not have an SRO.

While the House Ways and Means Budget Committee recently allocated only $3.7 million for this vital area, advocates like spokesperson Brandon Charochak emphasize that funding school resource officers should top the General Assembly’s priority list.

Academic Performance Snapshot

“excellent” rating, nine received a “good” signal, 22 were rated “average,” while seven were marked “below average”, and one school found itself rated as “unsatisfactory.”

Despite some commendable ratings, many students performed just slightly below the state average. For instance, while the statewide average in reading and writing stands at 54.1%, Aiken County’s students scored 50.8%. Mathematics scores also revealed a gap, with Aiken County at 33.8%, contrasting with the state average of 42.8%. When it comes to specific subjects like English 2, Algebra 1, Biology, and U.S. History, Aiken County students achieved rates of C or higher below the statewide averages.

Challenges Ahead

Looking at overall student success, the district is facing some challenges. The dropout rate has crept up to 3.4%, a slight increase from the previous year’s 3.2%. Concerningly, the graduation rate has dipped to 84.5%, lower than the state average, which stands at 85.4%. In terms of college and career readiness, 68.4% of students were deemed ready, trailing behind the statewide figure of 71.5%.

Additionally, Aiken County students averaged an SAT score of 978 out of 1600, compared to the statewide score of 1008. Interestingly, when it comes to school safety, students rated their feelings a 6.88 out of 10, slightly surpassing the statewide average of 6.76. In a recent survey, an impressive 89.5% of parents reported that their children feel safe at school—a reassuring statistic amidst ongoing discussions surrounding school safety.

The South Carolina School Report Cards provide an accessible platform for parents and community members to explore these ratings, serving as a valuable resource for understanding how their schools are performing.

As Aiken County continues to celebrate achievements in education, these challenges underscore the ongoing need for attention and action in areas like school safety and academic support. It’s clear that while excellence is being recognized, there’s always room for growth and improvement!

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Aiken Celebrates Educational Excellence Amid Safety Issues