The Artis Ware Center For Education Opportunity

Named to honor the inspiring legacy of U.S. Senator Tim Scott’s grandfather, The Artis Ware Center for Education Opportunity works to advance educational excellence and hope for every South Carolina child.
A Message from U.S. Senator Tim Scott

The Latest

Blog
October 23, 2024

School Choice Is Still Alive In South Carolina Despite Recent Setback

This article by Patrick Gleason originally ran in Forbes. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper (D) and other opponents of expanded school choice celebrated the South Carolina Supreme Court’s September decision in Eidson et al. v. SC Department of Education et al, a ruling which blocked implementation of the state’s new Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF), an education

Blog
October 21, 2024

The History and Future of Curriculum Transparency in South Carolina

Mercy Fletcher

In 1988, after considerable and impassioned debate, the South Carolina General Assembly passed the Comprehensive Health Education Act. This law was a step forward in ensuring that all students across the Palmetto State receive health education that is both age-appropriate and comprehensive. Walking a legislative tightrope, the new statute created a standard to guide their

People wearing backpacks
Blog
October 18, 2024

After court defeats SC school choice vouchers, conservative billionaire steps in to foot bill

This article by Nick Reynolds originally appeared in the Post and Courier. COLUMBIA — A conservative Pennsylvania billionaire will foot tuition costs for hundreds of private school students after South Carolina’s Supreme Court ruled a new school choice voucher program is unconstitutional. Jeffrey Yass, a political megadonor and longtime school choice advocate, is donating approximately $900,000 to cover

Photo of happy family
Blog
October 17, 2024

ESA Family Rescue Fund announced for school choice families

This article was originally published by WSPA. (WSPA) – Palmetto Promise Institue announced that a donor has offered to fund students impacted by the decision of the SC Supreme Court to disallow the usage of Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF) funds only for tuition and fees at private schools. President & CEO Wendy Damron stated

Schoolkids raising their hands in classroom
Blog
October 17, 2024

Billionaire awards a new version of the Yass Prize, this time to help an entire state

This story by Lisa Buie originally appeared on Next Steps Blog. The big news: Yamilette Albertson Rodriguez could hardly contain her excitement. A Philadelphia billionaire whose name she had never heard before had donated $900,000 to cover tuition for her three kids and other students whose state scholarships had been ripped away by a South Carolina

Blog
October 17, 2024

RELEASE: Palmetto Promise Institute Announces ESA Family Rescue Fund for School Choice Families

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Palmetto Promise Institute Announces ESA Family Rescue Fund for School Choice Families Donor will make ESTF families whole until December 31, 2024 COLUMBIA — Palmetto Promise Institute President & CEO Wendy Damron announced today that a generous donor has stepped forward to offer funding for private school students who were impacted by

Blog
October 8, 2024

Policy in Person: ESTF Families React in Real Time to Stolen Opportunity

Morgan Weiner

Wednesday, September 11, 2024 was a day thousands of parents across South Carolina will never forget: the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled the Education Scholarship Trust Fund—the state’s fledgling ESA program—unconstitutional. Immediately, Palmetto Promise Institute took a stand and set out to share the stories of parents all over the state affected by this unjust

Blog
October 4, 2024

Time to junk the ESA? Not so fast, my friend.

Oran P. Smith, Ph.D

Yesterday evening, the lame duck South Carolina Supreme Court surprised no one with the announcement that they weren’t interested in rehearing Eidson et al. v. South Carolina Department of Education et al., the legal proceeding also known as “the ESTF case” or the “the school choice case” (or, incorrectly, the “school voucher case”).  To some,