Results were strong for Richland School District 2 students on the S.C. exit exam.

The district's four high schools scored equal or better than the state average, with 91.2 percent of passing the English portion and 84.1 percent passing the mathematics portion on the first try in 2012.

At Blythewood High School, 90.7 percent passed English/ language arts and 85.1 passed mathematics. Nearly 530 students took the test for the first time in 2012.

At Richland Northeast High School, 90.2 percent passed English/ language arts and 78.7 passed mathematics. Nearly 350 students took the test.

At Ridge View High School, 92.6 percent passed English and 85.1 percent passed mathematics. More than 460 students took the test.

At Spring Valley High School, 91.1 percent passed English and 85.7 percent passed mathematics. More than 520 students took the test.

Statewide, 80.1 percent of the more than 50,000 students taking the test passed both sections on the first attempt. Nearly 90 percent passed the English/ language arts section. More than 82 percent passed the mathematics portion.

Scores increased in mathematics for every student subgroup except one, but the scores for English-Language Arts declined in every student subgroup.

“English and mathematics are the foundational subjects in education. ... Students must master skills in both subjects to be successful in their lives
after high school. To improve in both areas will require a personalized and customized education in grades K-8 so students are prepared for rigorous high school courses," said State Superintendent of Education Mick Zais in a prepared release.

High school students in South Carolina take the exit exam for the first time in the spring semester of their second year. Students cannot graduate high school in South Carolina without passing the exam.