This paper presents findings of an assessment of the effect of recent educational reforms on low achieving and minority students in South Carolina. Despite criticism that the recent reforms would be harmful to these students because of higher standards and testing programs, it is reported that the achievement of black students and low-achieving students of all races was not blocked by the many reforms in South Carolina. First, the report presents an overview of recent educational reforms. The South Carolina Education Finance Act of 1977, an attempt to provide a more equalized school finance system, is described. The Basic Skills Assessment Program (1978), State efforts to increase kindergarten attendance of children from hard-to-reach families (1979), the Educator Improvement Act (1979), and grassroots reform efforts (1983) are also discussed. Next, the report describes the study procedure and presents basic findings. These include the following: (1) low achieving, black, and all students have made substantial progress since educational reforms have been in process; (2) the achievement of black high achieving students and all high achieving students was not "pulled down" by reforms; (3) achievement gains in basic skills were found in all groups across a sample of grades; (4) the percentage of all children entering first grade with suitable readiness skills has increased substantially since 1979. These results are promising, but they are based on early evidence and the results of the reform movement will require further monitoring. (KH)