COUNTY — Results released by the South Carolina Department of Education last week show a 1.7 percent increase in SDPC students passing the high school exit exam on their first attempt in 2013.

This year’s increase follows a 0.7 percent increase the previous year.

With 86.1 percent of students passing both sections on the first attempt, district scores were above the state score by 4.1 percent.

Scores at all four district high schools were also above the state score. The pass rate at Daniel High School was 92 percent, at Easley High, 85.8 percent, at Liberty High, 83.7 percent, and Pickens High School, 82.9 percent. All four schools also improved their percentage of students passing both tests on the first attempt.

“I’m extremely proud of the work that all four of our high schools have done to ensure that our students meet their graduation requirements,” said Sharon Huff, assistant superintendent of instructional services. “Over the past five years, our district has made steady increases in the percentage of students passing both the English and mathematics portions of the test. To put this year’s score in perspective, in 2009, 79.7 percent of our students passed both tests on the first attempt. We have come a long way. Our goal is to see this positive trend continue.”

“I am very pleased with our students’ performance on HSAP,” said Dr. Kelly Pew, superintendent. “While we continue to see an increase in HSAP scores, we will review areas that can be improved and work to support our teachers and students to continue their growth. Our HSAP scores demonstrate the hard work of teachers, administrators and students in the School District of Pickens County.”

In addition to exit exam scores, students in Pickens County outperformed state averages in Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS) testing in the 2012-2013 school year, according to data released by the South Carolina Department of Education.

Pickens County students met proficiency at or above state average rates in 27 of 30 grade levels and subject areas.

Although the district exceeded state average in all subjects, scores declined slightly within the district in math, science and social studies. English language arts scores remained the same, while writing improved.

“In the past year, there has been an increased focus on literacy instruction. We feel that we have seen results in those areas, and we will continue those initiatives. We will work with our administrators and teachers to review areas where we feel that our students can grow,” Huff said.

“While we are pleased with our schools’ performance in the majority of grades and subjects, we always identify key areas we need to focus on. This year, our scores indicate that 8th grade needs to be an area of focus. Our middle school teachers will continue our focus on literacy and will review our math and science curriculum to identify strategies to improve student achievement. The district plans to continue the use of benchmark assessments that help teachers identify content areas that need to be reinforced.”

Key Areas of Improvement:

• 7th grade science improved 2.4 percent in meeting proficiency

• 5th grade English language arts improved 2.4 percent in meeting proficiency

• 5th grade social studies improved by 2.3 percent in meeting proficiency

• 3rd grade science improved 6 percent in meeting proficiency

Key Areas of Focus:

• 8th grade English language arts declined 6.4 percent in meeting proficiency and fell below the state average

• 8th grade math declined by 4.2 percent in meeting proficiency and fell below the state average

• 8th grade science declined by 9 percent in meeting proficiency and fell below the state average

• 8th grade social studies declined by 6.4 percent in meeting proficiency and fell to even with the state average

• 7th grade math declined by 1.8 percent in meeting proficiency and fell to even with the state average