South Carolina’s education system has ranked 43rd in the nation since 2021, according to U.S. News & World Report. Only 33.3% of South Carolinians hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, data from the Southern Regional Education Board shows. Meanwhile, the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce reports the state continues to rely on out-of-state workers to fill high-skill jobs, a concern for leaders hoping to build a stronger homegrown workforce.

Local educators and community partners in Richland School District One are finding creative ways to close that gap.

One of those initiatives is Cocky’s Reading Express, a literacy program that brings the University of South Carolina’s mascot and student volunteers into elementary classrooms to make reading fun. On Oct.24, the program visited Carver-Lyon Elementary, a school in Richland One where roughly 30% of students are reading below grade level, according to the district’s SC Ready scores.

Volunteer Briana Vinson said she loves seeing students light up when they read.

“I love that I can be a part of something that’s fun and engaging and interactive while also encouraging kids to read. They have to promise Cocky to read before they can even get a book,” Vinson said.

She said she also volunteers to be a role model for students who look like her.

“Representation matters. I love that we have a very diverse group of volunteers so students can see us and think, I can go to college, I can be successful,” she said. “Especially the little girls with locs they are like you look like me, and it’s so cool to kind of be that type of role model.”

Richland One leaders say they are not relying solely on outside programs to improve literacy. Paul Spence, the district’s coordinator of international programs, said teachers receive training to better serve students learning English as a second language.

“We make sure core classroom teachers are coached and know how to best serve these students,” Spence said.

Once students fully grasp English, he said, they often perform at or above their peers, but the challenge is time.

“It takes at least five years before you gain the grade level functional proficiency in a language,” Spence said.

Time is also a concern for Kendra Lynn, the district’s K-12 literacy coordinator.

“The biggest challenge teachers face is always time. We want more time in the day to be able to support our readers. Luckily, we are able to continue it beyond the school day with our accelerated day programs,” Lynn said.

She then stated the superintendent’s book club has also helped foster a love of reading among students.

“It further develops their literacy skills and builds the joy of reading,” she said.

Literacy isn’t the only challenge. Math and science scores in Richland One are even lower. In some grades, more than half of students are performing below grade level, according to SC Ready data.

The Challenger Learning Center in Columbia aims to change that through hands-on STEM learning.

Teresa Turner, director of the Aerospace Magnet Program, said every visit to a Challenger classroom is inspiring.

“You walk into those classrooms, and those kids are completely engaged,” Turner said.

She then stated she’s seen a growing interest in STEM careers among students, which often boosts their performance in other subjects as they set college goals.

Chris Dinkins, director of Career and Technology Education (CTE) for the district, said one of the biggest goals is to keep South Carolina’s talent in-state.

“We are still chasing that goal of helping our high school graduates become part of the workforce and not just you know those throwaway people,” Dinkins said.

Programs like Challenger show students career paths they might never have imagined.

Carolyn Donelan, lead flight director at Challenger, recalled one group’s reaction during a lab.

“This is magic! People do this for a living?” students asked. “Yes, yes they do,” Donelan replied.

At the state level, the South Carolina Department of Education has set a goal for 75% of students to read on grade level by 2030. Currently, the state sits just below 60%.

Department spokesperson Jason Raven said the agency is emphasizing the “science of reading,” a research-based approach that focuses on phonics and comprehension strategies to help students retain what they learn.

From books to rockets, this mission is the same, giving every student the tools to launch a successful future. District and state leaders agree it will take continued investment in both literacy and STEM education to lift South Carolina’s ranking and strengthen its workforce.