Darlington County Students Show Growth on SC READY Assessments, With Focused Work Still Ahead

Darlington, S.C.
State testing data released this week shows that students in Darlington County School District (DCSD) are learning and growing. The 2025 SC READY assessment results indicate more children meeting grade-level expectations in reading and math, reflecting the daily commitment of teachers, staff, and families across the district.
Students in grades 3–8 demonstrated significant improvement in English Language Arts (ELA) scores across all grade levels. The largest jumps came in seventh grade (+10.5 points) and eighth grade (+8.3 points). Third- and fourth-graders also posted strong gains, demonstrating the impact of early literacy initiatives. Math growth was strongest in third grade (+5.6 points) and sixth grade (+5.7 points), with both grades’ improvement exceeding the state average in those areas. Statewide, 59.6% of students met or exceeded expectations in ELA and 43.9% in math. DCSD students are closing gaps with the state and, in some cases, surpassing it.
On the Career Readiness Assessment, results were mixed. DCSD students continued to show strength in data (56%) and reading (59%), but math readiness declined from 47% to 39%. These results underscore why the district’s math improvement initiatives remain urgent and essential.
“These results reflect the hard work of our teachers, leaders, and families who refuse to give up on a single child,” said Superintendent Dr. Matthew Ferguson. “At the same time, we know we’re not where we want to be yet. We’ve made important progress—but too many of our students are still not yet at grade level. That reality drives our urgency.”
According to Dr. Ferguson, the district will focus on proven strategies for student success:
• Expanding high-quality instructional materials in reading and math.
• Strengthening professional learning communities to help teachers plan, analyze data and problem-solve together.
• Delivering focused interventions to help students close learning gaps.
“This work belongs to all of us—because every child is one of ours,” Ferguson added. “We’ve made progress. But progress isn’t the finish line. We will keep moving with urgency and purpose.”
Darlington County School District serves approximately 9,000 students across 19 schools in Darlington County, South Carolina. The district is committed to Excellence in Teaching and Learning for All: Each Child, Every Day.