Why we’re voting “Yes” on Amendment 1

Education
Blog · October 22, 2018

On November 6, South Carolina voters will be asked to vote on one of the most important ballot initiatives they may have never heard of: whether or not to appoint or elect South Carolina’s Superintendent of Education. A “good government” reform that has been discussed since the days of Governor Carroll Campbell, Amendment 1 on

Journeys Beginning and Ending

Education
Blog · August 24, 2018

We sent two off to college this week. One transferring as a junior into the orange world, the other starting out as a freshman under the garnet flag. Because I attended both universities, I have to admit it gives me great joy to know that at some time this week, one will walk through the doors of Sirrine, the other Gambrell.

Bombs away? The Truth about Education Lottery Spending

Education
Blog · August 10, 2018

Earlier this summer, the South Carolina Legislative Audit Council (LAC), a watchdog created by the General Assembly to review the performance and fiscal integrity of state agencies, issued a report on the state’s use of funds generated by the South Carolina Education Lottery for its core purpose, education. When the report appeared, one Democratic State

Consolidating tiny school districts will save a fortune and make schools better

Education
Blog · May 17, 2018

South Carolina has 46 counties but 82 school districts. That’s a lot. Statistically, its 1.78 school districts for every county. To put that in perspective, North Carolina has 100 counties and 115 school districts, Florida has 67 counties and 67 school districts. Georgia has a lot of school districts—181—but they also have 159 counties! Statistically,

Private education in SC more available than you might think

Education
Blog · April 27, 2018

Private schools are a vital part of a healthy education ecosystem that provides parents with the various options they need to find the right education fit for their student. Palmetto Promise recently partnered with EdChoice to conduct a survey of South Carolina’s private school sector. With the vast majority of these schools operating independently, it’s

School Choice Week II?

Education
Blog · April 19, 2018

National School Choice Week is celebrated every January all over America. You saw the video of the amazing outpouring of support for all educational options. Charter, home, private, online, magnet and Christian school students filled the steps of our South Carolina Statehouse. But this legislative week was another type of School Choice Week…more of a policy

Education Scholarship Accounts being heard in committee on Wednesday

Education
Blog · April 17, 2018

Tomorrow (April 18) at 9:00 AM the South Carolina Senate’s K-12 Education Subcommittee will meet to discuss S.622—the South Carolina Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship Account Act (ESA’s). ESA’s are an education innovation that is sweeping the country and creating unprecedented flexibility for students and families. This idea would allow parents of eligible students to apply

Drop in South Carolina test scores among nation’s worst

Education
Blog · April 12, 2018

Southerners know the wisecrack that comes up whenever talking about some less-than-stellar state statistic: “Thank goodness for Mississippi.” Sadly, South Carolina’s education system just lost that excuse. On April 10, the National Center for Education Statistics released its 2017 results for the National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP. Also known as the “Nation’s Report