SC students' writing skills still below national average

South Carolina's students test scores on a national writing assessment weren't significantly different from their scores six years ago, according to U.S. Department of Education results released Thursday morning.

Palmetto State students' scores have improved since the first time the test was given 10 years ago, but they have continued to fall short of the national average on the National Assessment of Educational Progress. The nation's report card is the only test that allows states to compare students' results in academic subjects with other states and the entire nation.

Good writing means being able to tell a story, persuade people and provide information, said Mark Schneider, commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics. Students had to respond to 2 of 17 possible writing prompts that asked them to write for those different purposes.

"While we still have a ways to go, America's students are doing better at this important task," Schneider said.

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