MCCORMICK COUNTY, S.C. (WFXG) - In McCormick County, South Carolina State Superintendent Ellen Weaver delivered the state of education address and commended the county for leading South Carolina in reading growth, proving that excellence can come from smaller communities.
It was a celebration of growth years in the making. South Carolina's state superintendent traveled to McCormick County on Thursday to deliver news that has educators and community leaders beaming with pride.
The numbers tell the story- statewide, South Carolina saw a 6-point gain in reading proficiency, with McCormick County leading that charge as the state works toward its goal of 75% student proficiency by 2030.
"Of course, we are so proud that we had the top growth in the state for ELA," McCormick County School District Superintendent Dr. Jaime Hembree said. "And we actually had the third highest growth for math in the state."
The success didn't happen overnight. It's the result of strategic investments in early literacy training and what Weaver calls the 'science of reading'-- systematic phonics instruction that connects four critical areas of the brain.
"Reading is the foundational skill that students have to have to be successful in life," Weaver said. "From kindergarten to third grade, students are learning how to read, and then from third grade, for the rest of their lives, they are reading to learn."
McCormick Superintendent Dr. Jaime Hembree credits teachers and strong community support.
"We have principals, assistant principals, staff that are just fully invested," Hembree said. "Good culture breeds excellence, and that's what we're seeing today."
Weaver says McCormick's success proves rural communities can compete with anyone, calling it a model for districts across the state of South Carolina.
McCormick's county growth trajectory shows what's possible when a community rallies around its schools, Weaver says, expecting to see the success continuing as literacy investments yield successful results. Video Link