Dear South Carolina Family, For me, education is one of our most important manifestations of the American Dream. It is a fundamental force that allows Americans, regardless of background, the ability to improve their lives. It is part of what truly makes this the land of opportunity. I believe in education and the American Dream
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,
This week – perhaps for the first time ever – a Senate Judiciary subcommittee unanimously passed a resolution that would give South Carolina voters a chance to make state-level legislative term limits a reality. Three GOP gubernatorial candidates stopped by to pledge their support for the idea, and I was honored to be invited by Chairman
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
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
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
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
Even as students (and the South Carolina Senate) enjoy spring break and golf nuts get their Masters fix, policy news here in Columbia hasn’t taken the week off! This week saw noteworthy developments on a couple key issues we’re watching at the Statehouse: Real results: House votes to establish Santee Cooper study committee Fresh on
On Tuesday, March 20, Palmetto Promise Institute will present its analysis of the current state and future prospects for Santee Cooper, the state-owned utility known officially as The South Carolina Public Service Authority. Palmetto Promise scholars and a specially-empaneled team of research economists will present its report “Santee Cooper’s Uncertain Future: A Historical, Policy and
What is “competency-based education” and how would it impact South Carolina students? Issue at a Glance South Carolina lawmakers are currently considering a bill to allow schools to opt into a competency-based education model. Competency-based education – also called “personalized learning” – allows schools the option to innovate away from an old one-size-fits-all education model
