Federal School Choice at a Crossroads: What the Senate Must Do Next

Education
Blog · June 12, 2025

In May 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping policy package that includes the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), a $5 billion annual tax credit scholarship program that could significantly expand educational freedom for families across the country.   This legislation, long championed by parents and

Federal School Choice Could Become a Reality with Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill”

Education
Blog · May 23, 2025

After weeks of negotiation and deliberation, President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” passed the United States House of Representatives this week. Palmetto Promise is glad to see so many important components of this legislation, like continued tax cuts, deregulation, and more. But the part we are most excited about is the inclusion of the Educational

South Carolina restores school choice with bigger, better program

Education
Blog · May 13, 2025

This article was originally published in The Lion. Up to 10,000 South Carolina students will be eligible for school choice this fall after Gov. Henry McMaster signed legislation restoring and expanding the state’s previous program. The Palmetto State had a school choice program last year, but the state Supreme Court abruptly halted it in September, just weeks into the

SC bill would require every school board meeting to be recorded, posted

Education
Blog · May 7, 2025

Palmetto Promise Policy Analyst Felicity Ropp is quoted in this article, originally published in WJBF and WSPA. COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) – In Columbia, lawmakers are making headway on a bill that would make school board meetings more accessible to the public. Supporters said the legislation, if passed, would increase transparency between school districts and families. The bipartisan

South Carolinians Should Always Have Access to School Board Meetings!

Education
Blog · April 30, 2025

In 2025, live-streaming is a fact of life. Churches, political parties, sporting events, legislative bodies, and more are easily accessible online in realtime and for replay after the fact. But school boards across South Carolina still lag behind. That’s a huge problem. South Carolina citizens should have easy online access to watch their elected representatives

Families Fight Back as South Carolina Court Strikes Down School Choice

Education
Blog · April 25, 2025

This column by Palmetto Promise President & CEO Wendy Damron was originally published in the Daily Signal. South Carolina’s school choice program faced a crushing setback when the state’s Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional after hundreds of students had already started classes at new schools. However, a grassroots response has emerged to help families affected by the

It’s Time for Grade Floors to Go

Education
Blog · April 21, 2025

For South Carolina schools and school districts, one of the most important goals is to do well on the SC School Report Card. This state school report card is built to evaluate schools based on their standardized test performance, teacher qualifications, safety, awards, parent involvement, and other factors. The Report Card aims to inspire schools

The Results are In…

Education
Blog · April 17, 2025

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner!  You, our readers, have spent the last few weeks participating in a Palmetto Promise March Madness of sorts, choosing each week the policies you believe are most important for the state of South Carolina. And, perhaps unsurprisingly, given its victory in our bracket last year, Education Scholarship Accounts

House and Senate Reach School Choice Agreement in “Magic Amendment”

Education
Blog · April 16, 2025

UPDATE: Since this article was published April 16, the “magic amendment” passed the SC Senate and on May 1 passed the SC House. The bill as amended now goes to Governor McMaster for his signature. Today, April 16, is a momentous day for the school choice movement in South Carolina. After weeks of negotiations between