Laura Sheridan is an Associate Director of State Policy & Legislation for ExcelinEd in Action.
In the past few years, the South Carolina legislature has dramatically improved its school funding formula, raised teacher pay and expanded free, full-day kindergarten for children at risk of falling behind.
It turns out South Carolina leaders were just getting started.
From expanding school choice to launching innovative ways to attract and keep teachers, this year’s legislative session made meaningful and substantive changes to ensure more children are able to succeed and thrive in the future.
South Carolina created its first education scholarship account program this year. The program will provide eligible families with $6,000 flexible-use scholarships that they can use on approved educational expenses, including private school tuition, therapies, tutors, curriculum and more.
The program may serve up to 5,000 students who previously attended public school and have a household income of 200% of the federal poverty guidelines ($60,000 for a family of four).
In the second year, student eligibility for this program will expand to serve up to 10,000 students with a household income cap of 300% of the federal poverty guidelines, and in the third year to 15,000 students with a cap of 400% of the federal poverty guidelines.
In this year’s state budget, South Carolina joined other states in focusing on early literacy.
The state banned the harmful method of “three-cueing,” requiring phonics-based instruction instead of guessing and memorization.
The budget also invests $39 million for K-3 teachers to complete training based on the science of reading, a proven model of literacy instruction. Both policies are critical parts of a strong early literacy program.
Few states have been more active than South Carolina in ensuring families and educators have the tools necessary for students to graduate prepared for their future careers.
Lawmakers approved H3726 this year, creating the Office of Statewide Workforce Development. In addition to improving governance and streamlining coordination among state and local agencies, the new law requires an annual study to assess current and future labor market needs to ensure alignment with K-12 programs.
Just this month, Gov. McMaster announced that more than 32,000 students have earned an industry credential through the state’s Workforce Scholarships for the Future program.
The program provides scholarships to cover the cost of tuition and required fees at any of South Carolina’s 16 technical colleges for any adult or recent high school graduate to pursue an industry credential or associate degree in high-demand career fields like manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, education or logistics.
South Carolina, like other states, has raised teacher pay in recent years to stem the growing national shortage in this critical profession.
Legislators in the Palmetto State took action in the 2023 legislative session to create additional incentives for retaining teachers. To better support educators and their families, South Carolina passed H3908, which expands paid parental leave for educators and school district employees. The bill requires districts to provide up to six weeks of maternity leave and two weeks of paternity leave for all district employees after birth, after adoption or upon fostering a child.
“We are going to do everything we can to support our teachers and their professional journey,” said State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver. “With this legislation, not only do we enable teachers to grow their own families while they grow their students, but we retain them while they are doing that.”
Gov. Henry McMaster also emphasized the critical importance of keeping great teachers:
“When it comes to a student’s academic achievement, we know that quality classroom teachers matter more than any other aspect of schooling,” said Gov. McMaster. “This policy, coupled with a 41 percent increase in minimum starting teacher pay since 2018, will help us continue to improve our ability to recruit and retain the best teachers.”
Six years ago, the minimum starting pay for a teacher in South Carolina was just over $30,000. Today it is $42,500 with a goal of $50,000 by 2026.
