Blog

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Named to honor the inspiring personal legacy of Senator Scott’s grandfather, The Artis Ware Center for Education Opportunity will serve as a touchstone for PPI’s work to advance educational excellence and hope for every South Carolina child.

Alison Heape is an elementary music teacher in Greenville County public schools and an incoming doctoral fellow in the Department of Education Reform at the University of Arkansas. You can follow her @AlisonHeape on Twitter.

Action by a federal court would have the effect of restoring eligibility for federal COVID relief funds to students in denominationally-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), other faith-based colleges, and religiously-affiliated K-12 independent schools.