I recently testified before a Senate Education Subcommittee regarding S.692, which would eliminate “Option 4” homeschooling – or, more accurately, “unbundling’ – from the ESTF program. Below is the transcript of my testimony. My remarks have been edited for clarity, since they were not delivered from a prepared text. Palmetto Promise has been the evangelist
The slides embedded below tell a brief history of grade floors in South Carolina as well as the origins of our 10-point grading scale. What one State Superintendent once considered against state policy in 2012 was later determined by another to be a district-level decision in 2015. Our current Uniform Grading Policy is silent on
On February 10, 2026, I was fortunate enough to testify before the House K-12 Subcommittee on South Carolina Representative Pedalino’s H.5073, which would prohibit schools and school districts from adopting grade floor policies and ensure that students’ grades are based purely on their academic performance. The below article, originally posted in the South Carolina Daily
On Wednesday of this week, Governor Henry McMaster gave his final State of the State Address before a joint assembly of the Senate and House of Representatives. His speech was full of rich South Carolina history, policy priorities, and—most importantly—hope. He outlined a pathway for freedom and prosperity that is well within our grasp; a
Palmetto Promise Director of Education Policy Ryan Dellinger is quoted in the below article, originally published in The Post and Courier. Columbia, S.C. (The Post and Courier) – Gov. Henry McMaster has opted South Carolina into the federal tax credit scholarship program passed by Congress last year, his spokesman confirmed. That unsurprising decision means some families
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
