Innovator, education choice advocate keeps one eye on Florida as South Carolina forges ahead with education savings accounts

ReimaginED profiles PPI Founder and CEO Ellen Weaver about her work on school choice.

Greenville lawmakers urge action on school choice bill

Palmetto Promise Team

The January legislative session is fast approaching and conversations about top priorities are heating up. Nothing is more critical to South Carolina’s future—and preserving access to the American Dream—than the issue of education. That’s why one of PPI’s has worked tirelessly over the years to see South Carolina finally join the ranks of states like Florida and Arizona where expanding education freedom—commonly called school choice—has transformed the lives of students who need it most.

The Real Education Emergency

George Smiling Jr.

Two Wall Street Journal articles published in early September (September 4th and September 13th) documented the growing shortage of bus drivers, both across the country and in the state of Massachusetts specifically, where Governor Charlie Baker is enlisting the National Guard to help students get to school. Yet, instead of seeing this transportation dilemma as a chance to implement solutions that would benefit parents and children, the push is to keep children in their zip code-assigned schools at all costs.

South Carolina lawmakers believe bill could make school choice more affordable

WYFF quotes PPI President & CEO Ellen Weaver on the benefits a Education Scholarship Account (ESA) would have for South Carolina students. 

K-12 education sees a tsunami of cash: what about parents?

Palmetto Promise Team

As Palmetto Promise has previously reported, South Carolina public schools are on the receiving end of an “unprecedented” $3.4 billion in one-time pandemic-related funds. South Carolina lawmakers have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to wisely steward these resources to support students and families who have been most dramatically impacted by school closures and lack-luster remote learning, as well as expand innovation and create unprecedented transparency.

Sen. Tim Scott Hosts Back to School Parent Town Hall

Palmetto Promise Team

Many uncertainties for the schooling of America’s children remain. Senator Scott and his team answered many questions about school decisions that are affecting families and their children. Whether it was about helping alleviate the mental health struggles of students, school mask mandates, or handling teachers’ unions. If you are a parent, most likely your question was asked in this recent event.

Scott Celebrates Launch of Artis Ware Center for Education Opportunity

Senator Scott joined PPI and the Artis Ware Center for Education Opportunity to visit Five Oaks Academy in Simpsonville and celebrate the Center’s launch.

South Carolina’s rich history of education freedom and how we return to it

George Smiling Jr.

Today—August 12, 2021—is the 159th anniversary of the birth of Julius Rosenwald. Rosenwald, a businessman and philanthropist, was born in Springfield, Illinois in 1862. His is truly a life worth celebrating.

More Money, Fewer Students

Palmetto Promise Team

South Carolina public schools are seeing a huge influx of new revenue, even as the number of students enrolled declines.

Artis Ware Center to focus on education choice policies

PPI’s new Artis Ware Center with Senator Tim Scott is highlighted in this article from The Center Square.