What is the 2011 PASS?

South Carolina and federal laws require end-of-the-year accountability tests for grades 3-8 that are based on state academic standards.

Palmetto Assessment of State Standards results include scores in five subject areas: writing, English language arts (reading and research), mathematics, science and social studies. 

PASS has three scoring levels:

1. Exemplary. The student demonstrated exemplary performance in meeting the grade level standard.

2. Met. The student met the grade-level standard.

3. Not met. The student did not meet the grade-level standard.     

Comparing 2011 scores with 2010, the percentage of students with passing mathematics scores increased in all six grades tested. The passing rate increased in three of six grades in English language arts, in four of six grades in science and in five of six grades in social studies.

The percentages of students scoring at the exemplary level increased for every grade and subject, with only two exceptions – Grade 5 ELA and Grade 8 writing.

PASS scores in 2011 generally showed generally greater achievement gaps among white and black students even though those students improved their passing rates in five of six grades in math, four of six grades in science and social studies and three of six grades in English Language Arts. The reason is that while black students’ scores improved, white students’ scores improved at a greater rate. Of the 26 subject-grade combinations tested, achievement gaps shrank in only eight.

PASS scores for black students, for students with limited English proficiency and for those enrolled in free or reduced-price school food programs remain lower than overall student scoring percentages. 
Students from low-income families improved their passing rates in math in every grade, in three of six grades in English language arts, in five of six grades in social studies, in four of six grades in science.

Students with limited English proficiency (LEP) improved their passing rates in math in every grade, in three of six grades in English Language Arts, in five of six grades in science and in four of six grades in social studies. 

PASS is expected to undergo changes this year.

“These changes are a result of the State Board of Education’s decision to adopt the Common Core standards and could result in statewide computer-based testing. This would be a significant departure from all previous accountability tests used in the classroom," State Superintendent Mick Zais said. "At the urging of several legislators, I will submit the results of a cost-benefit analysis of new assessment costs to the General Assembly next year so the public will be informed about the costs and other potential impacts of this new testing model.”