Palmetto Promise President and CEO Wendy Damron is quoted in this article, originally published in Forbes by Kerry McDonald. Kerry’s research interests include homeschooling and alternatives to school, education entrepreneurship, parent empowerment, school choice, and family and child policy. FORBES – At Carolina Kids Co-Op, school is out—outside, that is. At its flagship location in
Few responsibilities entrusted to government are more important than protecting the rights of parents to raise, educate, and safeguard their children. In South Carolina, citizens have long understood that parents—not bureaucracies, courts, or distant federal agencies—are the primary decision-makers in a child’s life. Parental rights are not a new or radical concept—they are deeply rooted in our
On Monday, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster released his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27. This budget, developed in coordination with executive agency heads and presented to the General Assembly in January every year, not only outlines the state’s financial situation, but also offers insight into what Governor McMaster considers top priorities for the upcoming year. After reviewing
What a year 2025 has been for the state of South Carolina! With a 2026 election cycle well underway (including a series of Statehouse special elections in recent days) and a busy initial year of the two-year legislative session, there has been no shortage of political activity. As we prepare for the 2026 legislative session, we would like to take a moment to reflect on the impact Palmetto Promise Institute has had on
This column by Palmetto Promise board member Van Hipp was originally published in Newsmax. Education is a national security issue. America’s upcoming 250th anniversary is a time to ensure our youth understand what it means to be an American. In recent years we haven’t emphasized American history and civics in our schools like we have
With the signing of S.62 during the 2025 legislative session came a revamped Education Scholarship Trust Fund program designed to withstand any further constitutional challenges that may come its way. The bill also included a requirement that the South Carolina Department of Education develop model guidelines that traditional public schools must use to create an
The school choice environment in South Carolina is evolving rapidly. Just a few short years ago, families were forced to attend their residentially zoned traditional public school, drive their children to a local public charter school (if they were able), or pay for private school tuition out of their own pocket – effectively trapping lower
This op-ed was originally published in FitsNews. Recently, an article published in FITSNews argued that the creation of what is essentially an “Option 4” method of homeschooling in South Carolina through the passage of S.62, is a Trojan Horse that opens the door to increased state regulation of all existing homeschooling in the Palmetto State. But I am pleased
After months of uncertainty and determined advocacy from families across the state, South Carolina’s restored and expanded ESA program, the Education Scholarship Trust Fund, is back—and rising stronger than ever for 2025–26. When parents spoke up, lawmakers listened and passed S.62, which Governor McMaster signed into law May 7, 2025. Just a week later, ESTF
This past week, I was fortunate enough to attend the National Summit on Education, hosted by the Foundation for Excellence in Education (ExcelinEd). This conference is the preeminent collection of education policy experts in the country, with nearly every state represented by some number of policymakers, advocates, and education vendors. This year, about 1,500 people