BEYOND THE CHICAGO STATEMENT: Do Policies at South Carolina’s Public Universities Truly Protect Free Speech?

Education
Blog · August 1, 2024

This report examines policies relating to free speech and expression within South Carolina public institutions of higher education. Declarations of intent or belief like the Chicago Statement are admirable, but the proof is in the pudding—or in specific policies, rather.

Stronger Together: Expanding Opportunity Through School District Consolidation

Education
September 6, 2018

Download this report here.  During the 2017-2018 legislative session, an old proposal became new again: the idea of merging several of South Carolina’s smaller school districts together with neighboring districts to form larger ones. This short paper seeks to gather facts, statistics, and previous comprehensive studies on the issue to find answers to the question

Private education in SC more available than you might think

Education
Blog · April 27, 2018

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

Empower Opportunity 2015

Education
Blog · November 15, 2014

Finding the best education fit for your child can be a daunting task. In this catalog, you’ll read the stories of families just like yours who share their journey to find the perfect place for their child. You’ll also find links to resources to learn more about each option. Please take a minute to share this information with families you know. Knowledge is power, and working together, we can Empower Opportunity for students in every corner of the Palmetto State. And please take a minute to visit our dedicated Empower Opportunity website at www.mysceducation.org.

How Common Core Went Wrong

Education
February 26, 2014

The advent of Common Core State Standards (CCSS) has ignited a firestorm among parents, educators and policy makers. This paper attempts to cut through the haze with a much needed common sense conservative analysis. In it, we provide a thumbnail history of educational standards in America, how CCSS went wrong, and what South Carolina can do to maintain control of our standards and promote the rigorous accountability our students need to equip them for success in school and in life. A number of the solutions we list below are expanded upon in the document text

Transformation: What South Carolina Can Learn From Florida’s K-12 Reforms

Education
February 26, 2013

Since the arrival of Steve Spurrier in Columbia, “Florida usually beats Carolina” has eventually become “the Gamecocks usually beat the Gators.” The reverse is true in K-12 education. In 1999, South Carolina students led Florida students in performance on a number of national educational tests, including NAEP, the National Assessment of Educational Progress. But for 2003-2011, in combined Math and Reading NAEP scores, Florida was first with a 54 point improvement and South Carolina was last with a 44 point decline (page 7). Question: How did Florida leapfrog South Carolina in such a short period of time? Answer: transformation through comprehensive reform.