In this short Letter to the Editor, originally published in The Post and Courier, I point out a fundamental truth in the school choice debate – the words we use matter.  If we are going to have an honest debate about what school choice should look like in South Carolina, we have to be specific

On August 25, 2026, the United States House Committee on Education & Workforce held a hearing on protecting servicemembers in schools, citing concerns where teachers or school board members were discriminated against because they took a leave of absence for military service. Of the three testifiers at this hearing, two were from South Carolina: Chris

I recently had the opportunity to join Stephen Biddix from WIS10 to discuss some of the work that South Carolina is doing to address teacher vacancies.  To check out the video interview, you can view the original article here. COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – As South Carolina continues to work through a teacher shortage, one organization

This op-ed originally posted in the National Review was written by Palmetto Promise Institute President Wendy Damron and Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist. ESAs pair well with income-tax elimination, while tax credit scholarships don’t. In addition to being at the forefront of a national movement to drive down, flatten, and even phase out state

The following article originally appeared in the Post & Courier. As the 2025 General Assembly headed out the door, emotions in the public education community were raw. A conflict over funding between traditional public school districts and statewide public charter districts led to a Band-Aid that left neither side happy. As the 2026 General Assembly

In this article, originally published in the South Carolina Daily Gazette, I discuss how South Carolina ensures that our higher education degree programs are delivering meaningful, high-quality education through regular program review by the Commission on Higher Education and the colleges themselves. Columbia, S.C. (SC Daily Gazette) – Suddenly, one of the most pressing issues

In this article originally posted in the Post and Courier, Dr. Oran Smith  comments on legislation concerning the transparency of University president headhunting. By Anna B. Mitchell amitchell@postandcourier.com   CLEMSON — After decades of giving the public a chance to vet candidates for some of the state’s top positions in academia, South Carolina’s leading universities

In this op-ed, originally published in The Post and Courier, I discuss the potential for groundbreaking statewide public charter school funding reform that hinges on a decision resting with the Jasper County Council.  They are currently considering giving some local funding to some of their charter schools, which could serve as an important test case

I recently joined Stephen Biddix from WIS10 to discuss the passage of H.5073, which bans grade floors in traditional and public charter schools and reforms credit and content recovery programs.  Check out the story below, or head to the original story to watch my video interview! Columbia, S.C. (WIS10) – Parents across South Carolina could

I was fortunate enough to join ABC 4 News (Charleston) to offer some commentary on H.5073, Rep. Fawn Pedalino’s (R – Clarendon) ban on grade floors in public schools.  The bill has since been signed by Governor McMaster and will be in effect for the 2026-27 school year. COLUMBIA, S.C (WCIV) — South Carolina lawmakers have