Research

Here's everything you need to know about Education Scholarship Accounts (ESAs). Get the facts and hear from parents across The Palmetto State on the need for education choice.

Key leaders in the South Carolina General Assembly have filed legislation that, if passed, would create “Education Scholarship Accounts” (ESAs) for South Carolina students. ESAs are online-based accounts funded with state grants that can be used to pay a wide variety of educational expenses for a student who is eligible for the grants. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about ESAs.

Across the nation, an innovation known as Education Scholarship Accounts (ESAs) is enjoying strong, bipartisan, legislative, parental, and taxpayer support. Why? Because with ESAs, a basic principle of fairness and freedom is achieved: state-appropriated education dollars follow the child. With that aspiration fulfilled, every child, but especially the most vulnerable, can finally receive the customized education they need to reach their full potential.

Today, Palmetto Promise Institute unveiled South Carolina’s first-of-its-kind data tool to compare key education metrics across the entire state and by individual school district.

Take a look at the total 2020-21 SC Education Sending, including COVID relief, revenue over the years, and how we stack up to neighboring states.

Read our new fast fact sheet to answer the following questions: How do we vet and elect our judges in South Carolina? How can we make sure our process in the Palmetto State prevents black-robed legislating?

You may have heard of the troubles of Santee Cooper, South Carolina’s state-owned utility. But, how much do you remember since the V.C. Summer meltdown (2017)? Why should you care in 2021? Here’s the lay of the land in just ten questions: 1. Who owns Santee Cooper? Who approves electricity rate increases? Answer: Santee Cooper,