News
Study finds vouchers don't make difference
Students using vouchers to attend private schools in Florida are doing no better and no worse than similar students in public schools, says a study ordered by the state Legislature. "If the kids aren't doing better, then we really ought to reconsider why we're doing it,"
Read More
Rex says stimulus will help fix some school problems
Instead of giving a customary speech, state Superintendent of Education Jim Rex fielded questions from a TV reporter and the public at his annual State of Our Schools address.
Read More
SC education leader: Get ready for funding
Rex urged school leaders to begin planning for the funds, which will save about 500 teaching jobs and 100 nonteaching jobs across the state.
Read More
Charter school planner is confident
It will likely be another two weeks before organizers of a Richland 2 charter school learn whether they will gain state approval to proceed with the proposed elementary school.
Read More
'State of Our Schools' to be simulcast on Internet
State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex’s annual “State of Our Schools” address won’t be a traditional speech this year. In its place will be an extended, interactive interview simulcast online Wednesday by television stations across the state.
Read More
Rex says stimulus funds will save jobs
Within the next two weeks, South Carolina public schools will receive $184 million in federal stimulus money that Superintendent of Education Jim Rex said will save jobs.
Read More
Newsweek praises 22 S.C. schools
Twenty-two S.C. public schools have been recognized by Newsweek magazine for challenging their students through Advanced Placement courses, International Baccalaureate programs and more.
Read More
Rainy day fund likely to be used - Income tax collections have fallen dramatically
The state likely will empty its rainy day account after high unemployment rates shot another hole through the state's budget forecasts Thursday.
Read More
Report: State had best improvement in nation
South Carolina had the nation’s best improvement in high school graduation rates between 1996 and 2006, according to a new report released today by Education Week.
Read More
SC officials creating 2020 education goals
South Carolina education officials are setting new accountability goals that public schools and students should meet over the next decade.
Read More
Court rules Sanford must apply for stimulus funds
Gov. Mark Sanford must seek the $700 million in stimulus money he has tried to refuse, the S.C. Supreme Court said today.
In a ruling issued this afternoon, the Supreme Court wrote that Sanford is not the sole arbiter
Read More
Rex says federal funds will be available in time to help students next school year
State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex said that today’s South Carolina Supreme Court ruling paves the way for federal stabilization funds to be drawn down quickly and sent to local school districts in time to help students next year.
Read More
Watch the Arguments
Video of Wednesday morning's arguments before the S.C. Supreme Court provided by S.C. ETV
Read More
S.C. will assist common core standards project without governor’s OK, Rex says
State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex said that South Carolina hopes to participate “to whatever extent possible” in a national effort announced today that aims to develop common academic standards in mathematics and English language arts.
Read More
Stimulus battle might end by weekend
South Carolina’s highest court said three months of debate over $700 million in federal stimulus money could be settled by Friday.
Read More
Sanford, Rex respond to stimulus funding lawsuits
Two cases filed Friday with the S.C. Supreme Court seek to require Gov. Mark Sanford to accept federal stimulus money. Sanford's lawyers responded today by filing to remove a suit filed by the S.C. Association of School Administrators from the S.C. Supreme Court to federal court, where they said it belongs. The governor said he would not respond to the other suit, filed by a Chapin High School senior and a University of South Carolina law student. S.C. Education Superintendent Jim Rex ...
Read More
Stimulus showdown in U.S. Court
U.S. District Judge Joe Anderson will hear a motion by Gov. Mark Sanford today asking that a federal court decide the issues in three lawsuits seeking to control $700 million in federal stimulus money. Sanford opposes accepting the money unless an equal amount is used to repay state debt.
Read More
Clyburn says consolidating stimulus lawsuits will lead to quicker resolution
U.S. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn of South Carolina said this morning that he supports the consolidation of three lawsuits over the stimulus issue because he believes it will lead to a quicker resolution.
Read More
Federal judge gets stimulus dispute
A state Supreme Court hearing over a disputed $700 million in federal stimulus money is on hold until a federal judge decides whether the case belongs in state or federal court.
Read More
Rex agrees that governor should adhere to state budget that employs federal funds
State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex today agreed with the key points in a lawsuit that seeks to compel Governor Mark Sanford to accept federal stimulus funds aimed at helping schools and law enforcement agencies hit with massive budget cuts.
Read More
Sanford: Stimulus suit about power, not money
Sanford is inappropriately asking a federal court to decide a state issue, McConnell said, accusing the governor of political theater.
Read More
S.C. Governor Mark Sanford Sues Over $700M in Stimulus Money
The state's top educator said Sanford was obstructing government's fundamental job of educating children.
Read More
How they voted
RISE SC urges public education supporters to thank the members of the General Assembly who had the courage to stand against the Governor and do what's best for South Carolinians. Please follow this link to see the roll call vote and how your House and Senate members voted.
Read More
Governor vetoes $5.7 billion state budget over stimulus cash
Legislators promise an override, possibly coming as early as today...
Read More
Busy closing week for S.C. lawmakers
S.C. lawmakers have three days left to put their stamp on a legislative session that may be remembered solely for the budget crunch and the fight over how to spend federal stimulus aid.
Read More
Sanford suing General Assembly
Gov. Mark Sanford is taking the General Assembly to court after lawmakers required him to accept $350 million in disputed federal money
Read More
S.C. public school teachers in wait-and-see mode regarding state budget
The standoff between Gov. Mark Sanford and legislators is leading to an uneasy weekend for hundreds of South Carolina public school teachers who usually know by this time of year whether they will be employed in the fall.
Read More
Fair funding key to SC school success, says state superintendent
Comprehensive tax reform is essential to adequate,fair funding for public schools, state superintendent Jim Rex told the League of Women Voters of Hilton Head Island on Thursday. "There are a lot of children in South Carolina who don't have a real shot at the American dream...
Read More
SC legislators kill private school choice bill
The latest effort to use taxpayer money to help parents send their children to private schools died Wednesday, though both supporters and opponents expect the issue to return next year.
Read More
Budget ball in Sanford's court
The $700 million question remains. But now Gov. Mark Sanford has a $5.7 billion one on his desk. The issue with which he will wrestle is whether to accept a legislative edict to take the disputed federal stimulus funds, or say no again.
Read More
Senate panel gives key endorsement to public school choice legislation
The Senate Education Committee today unanimously approved and sent to the full Senate a bill aimed at increasing the number and variety of choices available to students and their families.
Read More
The State of South Carolina vs. Education
A group of impassioned legislators, educators and activists ... seek to amend the state’s constitutional language from what a 1999 state Supreme Court decision defined as a “minimally adequate” standard of education to a “high quality” one and renew focus on equitable funding and equal opportunities for all the state’s students.
Read More
Sanford slams budget
Six legislative days remain before the General Assembly's anticipated adjournment and the deadline for the House and Senate to approve the proposed $5.7 billion state budget, which would go into effect July 1.
Read More
Youngsters hunker down to PASS crucial, end-of-year state exam
If the name is any indication, South Carolina educators are optimistic about the new standardized state test.
Read More
Local school budgets still waiting on lawmakers in Columbia
School districts continue to work on budgets for the 2009-2010 school year, despite having no clear picture of how much money the state will send them...
Read More
Showdown on stimulus
(opinion)The $700 million in stimulus money — which South Carolina taxpayers will have to pay for regardless — will help save teaching jobs and inject money into the economy. State lawmakers made the right move in resisting the governor's obstinate
Read More
Group decries tuition credit plan
As promised, Sen. Robert Ford didn't show up Monday night to sit around a table of community leaders and talk with more than 150 local residents about his proposed tax credit legislation.
Read More
S.C. school welcomes furniture donated by Oak Brook firm
But principal sad that state has not met students' needs
Read More
Tax credit plan ignores poor families’ economic realities
(opinion) It’s not about educating poor kids. Regardless of how much supporters pitch their latest pay-to-walk-away school-choice scheme as a way to help poor and black kids escape struggling public schools and find haven in private schools
Read More
Northwestern teacher named best in state
...he challenged teachers statewide to make South Carolina education shine next school year.
Read More
School choice bill given unfavorable grade
Ford's Education Opportunity Act would grant tax credits ranging from more than $2,000 to more than $4,000 to parents of students who move their children from
Read More
Alternate budget rejected
The S.C. Senate stuck to plan Tuesday, rejecting an alternative budget that did not depend on federal aid.
Read More
Group to hold public forum
Charleston education advocates said Sen. Robert Ford hasn't heard what the community has to say about his proposed tuition tax credit legislation, so they will host a public meeting next week to give his constituents a chance to speak their minds.
Read More
The Sanford solution: ‘Just shoot me now’
(opinion) IF YOUR doctor said you had two years to live, would you reply, “Just shoot me now”?
Outlandish question? OK. If your boss told you she would have to lay you off in two years, would you pack up your things and walk out the door?
Read More
S.C. legislative action for week #14
Highlights and summaries of last week's legislative activity.
Read More
Rex speaks to the Senate K-12 Education Subcommittee
Dr. Rex spoke yesterday to the Senate K-12 Education Subcommittee abouttwo bills: the public school choice bill that he supports and the
private school tax credit bill that he opposes. (The full Senate K-12 Education Committee will likely vote on both bills next week.)
Read More
Schools budgets tight without fed funds
If Gov. Mark Sanford releases federal stabilization funds, the Aiken County School District's budget crisis could be eased somewhat. Without it, administrators said Tuesday, the district may have to seriously consider teacher and administrator furloughs...
Read More
It turns out we’re not the big debtor Sanford suggests
(opinion)
Mark Sanford would have loved my parents. They taught me to avoid debt at all costs. I bought my first car with cash. I did take out a college loan, but I paid it all off before interest charges started accruing.
Read More
Lunch tray recycling program announced
State officials say they will start a pilot program to recycle school lunch trays and curb the amount of lunchroom trash.
Read More
S.C. attorney general won’t fight suit going straight to state’s high court
“The buck stops at the Supreme Court,” said Republican Majority Leader Sen. Harvey Peeler, R-Cherokee, who said lawmakers are seeking clarity on what to do next.
Read More
S.C. legislative update
STATE BUDGET: South Carolina legislators moved Wednesday to force Gov. Mark Sanford's hand on taking $350 million in federal stimulus cash that he argues should be used to reduce state debt instead of being put into school budgets.
Read More
S.C. schools more important than the national limelight
Gov. Mark Sanford this week signed into law a bill that gives school districts greater flexibility in the way they use their money during the current hard times. Now if he would only agree to give the schools more money.
Read More
Sanford signs bill; S.C. schools gain budget freedom
A new law will allow South Carolina schools to suspend programs such as character education and SAT improvement to help keep teachers employed amid budget cuts.
Read More
Recession Stalls State-Financed Pre-Kindergarten, but Federal Money May Help
One of the most drastic expansions of public education in recent American history unfolded quietly in this decade, as dozens of states added free pre-kindergarten classes to their traditional kindergarten to high school offerings.
Read More
SC gov still faces protests, criticism on stimulus
"He is anti-public education. That's all this is," Clyburn, D-S.C., told reporters before a speech at The Citadel. "He will do anything he possibly can to destroy public education."
Read More
‘Sanfordville' set up to protest stimulus stance
A few blocks from the Governor's Mansion, a group of protesters on Tuesday set up tents at a downtown park and dubbed the area "Sanfordville," a throwback to the Depression-era shanty towns named for President Herbert Hoover.
Read More
Sanford will ask for funds, but ...
He won’t release the $700 million until he and Legislature strike deal on debt
Read More
Schools to begin receiving economic stimulus money, but not in SC
"It would be an unfortunate policy outcome if the children of South Carolina were to be deprived of their share of federal stimulus dollars ...
Read More
Rally urges Sanford to 'Take the money'
More than 1,000 teachers, college students and others converged on the State House Wednesday with a message for Gov. Mark Sanford...
Read More
Stimulus standoff shifting - Attorney general backs Governor
South Carolina is poised to become the first state to shrug off federal stimulus money intended to help recession-battered schools, throwing hundreds of teacher jobs into jeopardy because lawmakers doubt Washington can mandate how the state spends money.
Read More
Minority, low-income students in S.C. closing ‘gap’
South Carolina's minority and low-income students are closing the test-score gap with their non-minority and higher-income peers, according to a national report released Tuesday.
Read More
Schools stand to lose more jobs
Education groups will rally at the State House today to urge Gov. Mark Sanford to accept $700 million in stimulus aid, most of which would go to education
Read More
Education job losses could top 5,000 in S.C., officials say
If South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford doesn’t apply for federal economic stimulus money, South Carolina could lose more than 5,000 public school jobs, according to information released Thursday.
Read More
Tuition tax credit foes hold rally to air views
NAACP and other Charleston leaders rallied Monday in opposition to a bill proposed by state Sen. Robert Ford that would offer tuition tax credits to those whose children attend private schools.
Read More
Private schools skeptical of choice bill
Some say they cannot educate some students now in public schools. Others are physically too small to accept an influx of students. Still others fret the taxpayer money would come with strings attached.
Read More
Economic lessons, challenging times for state education says Rex
Challenges, both long-term and immediate, fiscal and physical are facing South Carolina's public education system, according to the state's top education administrator.
Read More
State superintendent: School choice plan 'irresponsible'
The state's budget crisis makes it more important than ever for lawmakers to defeat a voucher bill introduced this week that would "rob" hundreds of millions of dollars from public schools and other state agencies, state Superintendent of Education Jim Rex said Thursday.
Read More
Clyburn asks US Education chief for stimulus funds
U.S. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn said Thursday he's working with the U.S. Education Department to make sure his home state doesn't lose education money that Gov Mark Sanford has refused to seek.
Read More
Schools eager for flex spending
As South Carolina has fallen deeper into recession, public schools have been hit with severe budget cuts that have left administrators desperate for a reprieve from the strings legislators attach to education funding, and Thursday they got one step closer to having that freedom.
Read More
S.C. superintendent of education pushing school choice
Bills now filed in the South Carolina Legislature could provide parents more choices regarding how their children are educated, officials said.
According to the South Carolina Education Department, twin bills filed Tuesday in the South Carolina House of Representatives and Senate
Read More
Stimulus questions remain
The state is in a time crunch, and if legislators don't get some key questions resolved ASAP, steep college tuition increases are likely around the corner, teacher layoffs would be imminent and a great number of government services would be shut down.
Read More
Scoppe: The plan to help poor kids that doesn’t help poor kids (opinion)
Although Sen. Robert Ford is the first prominent African-American in our state to support using public dollars to fund private schools, his argument is no different than any of his predecessors, black or white: He just wants to help poor kids, and black kids, who are trapped in failing public schools.
Read More
Senator: Sanford could block funds
The state Legislature may not be able to override Gov. Mark Sanford’s refusal of $700 million in federal stimulus aid, the Senate’s top budget writer said Tuesday, adding that he will ask Sanford to reconsider.
Read More
Schools prepare for cuts
Most local school districts traditionally begin budgeting in spring for the coming school year.
But complicating the 2009-10 school budget process are the unknowns, among them how much money will be available from the legislative budget, as well as from any federal stimulus funds.
Read More
Education superintendent tells senators stimulus critical to S.C. schools
S.C. Superintendent of Education Jim Rex also asked the state senate to approve a joint resolution that would give school districts more flexibility in managing budgets, something that has become increasingly difficult with state budget cuts.
Read More
State panel cuts $102 million in spending
A South Carolina budget oversight panel Wednesday cut $102 million from the remainder of this year's state spending plan to head off a potential budget shortfall, taking more money from public schools, colleges and health and social service agencies.
Read More
Senator expects court challenge
Senate leader Glenn McConnell sought Monday to head off any trouble South Carolina could face if a portion of the federal stimulus money gets tied up in a court battle.
Read More
Sanford's stimulus request denied
Stimulus must be used to save or create jobs, White House says...
Read More
South Carolina student wants stimulus money to rebuild school
Ty'Sheoma Bethea felt she had to speak up. Her school was crumbling, and Congress was not going to approve money that could be used to rebuild it. So she wrote a letter to lawmakers begging for help.
Read More
State pans 'worst schools' list
State Department of Education staffers are questioning the validity of a website's list of the "100 Worst Schools in America," describing the list as only a marketing tool.
Read More
Sanford rejects federal funding
S.C. lawmakers will bypass him, accept disputed money
Read More
S.C. to trim additional $64 million
The S.C. Board of Economic Advisors has cut the state’s revenue projections by 1 percent for this fiscal year and the 2009-2010 fiscal year that begins on July 1.
Read More
SC schools chief urges lawmakers to act
South Carolina's schools chief says lawmakers must move quickly on a bill giving school districts budget freedoms.
Read More
SC lawmakers give initial OK to $2B school budget
A $2.5 billion basic spending package for South Carolina's public schools received initial approval from state lawmakers Monday despite concerns that it improperly taps federal stimulus cash.
Read More
State school chief addresses issue of underperforming schools
State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex said 16 public schools throughout South Carolina are consistently underperforming, and he expects that number to jump to 41 next year.
Read More
President Obama voices support for teacher performance pay, spotlights South Carolina
President Barack Obama today renewed his support for a merit-based system of paying educators and praised the work being done in this area by South Carolina.
Read More
Privatizing public schools would be wrong choice for S.C.
(opinion)
Charleston Sen. Robert Ford and Greenville Rep. Eric Bedingfield offered a strong statement of support for school choice in The Post and Courier of March 2. They jointly bemoaned "failing schools" and the "same old solutions that have failed the children of our state for decades."
Read More
SC bailout will face ideology, planning conflicts
Keeping teachers in classrooms, inmates behind bars and paramedics in ambulances are to take center stage Monday as South Carolina lawmakers begin debating a proposed $6.6 billion spending plan that hinges on federal stimulus money.
Read More
Event raises awareness of education petition
Shame, hard work, hope, change and inspiring are the words that rang loud and clear from those who came out Thursday to learn about the “Goodbye Minimally Adequate” petition, an effort urging a constitutional amendment
Read More
Five State Teacher of the Year Finalists Named
State education officials announced the five finalists for South Carolina's State Teacher of the Year competition, including two educators from the Midlands.
Read More
Area school chiefs ready to use federal funds
School officials in districts from Georgetown County to Brunswick County, N.C., are anticipating windfalls worth millions from federal stimulus money.
The U.S. House Labor and Education committee released estimates this week of funds expected to trickle down
Read More
Sanford urged to visit school
Senator says governor owes it to 8th-grader
Read More
Obama gives S.C. girl moment in spotlight
Ty’Sheoma Bethea received one of Tuesday evening’s most rousing ovations — and she didn’t say a word.
Sitting next to first lady Michelle Obama in the center mezzanine of the House of Representatives chamber, the J.V. Martin Junior High School eighth-grader beamed as President Barack Obama described a recent letter she wrote to her nation’s leaders.
“The letter asks us for help and says,
Read More
Clyburn releases estimates for school stimulus
A federal analysis shows South Carolina's 85 school districts may receive some $300 million in stimulus money for schools with large numbers of poor children and students with disabilities.
The analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service
Read More
Bill would help SC schools amid budget cuts
South Carolina lawmakers gave key approval Wednesday to a bill allowing school districts to increase class sizes and furlough teachers to absorb budget cuts, but they added a caveat.
Read More
Report: "Accountability in Education is an Illusion”
A new study from an educational think tank in Ohio indicates that South Carolina’s high standards for public schools show the flaw in annual report cards required by the No Child Left Behind federal education legislation.
Read More
Ailing S.C. school sees Obama stimulus plan as lifeline
Ty'sheoma Bethea went to the public library in this struggling South Carolina town last Tuesday night to write a letter to Congress about the economic stimulus bill.
The 8th grader had never thought about writing to Congress before. She didn't even have a clear idea what a "stimulus bill" is.
Read More
Mellichamp Elementary receives $1,000 for entire faculty being registered to vote
Rise SC, a public education advocacy group, presented Mellichamp Principal Beverly Stroman-Spires with a $1,000 check for the accomplishment.
Read More
A letter to Congress from J.V. Martin student Ty'Sheoma Bethea
Read More
Rex-backed schools bill advances
An urgent plea by Superintendent of Education Jim Rex to the Legislature gained traction Thursday in a bill that would give school districts the freedom to furlough teachers to avoid layoffs, temporarily increase classroom sizes, postpone certain assessment tests and shift money around to soften budget cuts.
Read More
