South Carolina Legislature Expands the Read to Succeed Act

“South Carolina’s updates to the Read to Succeed Act mark a significant leap forward in advancing evidence-based literacy practices across the Palmetto State. By banning the use of three-cueing in instructional materials, expanding summer camps to first and second grade students and incorporating the science of reading in teacher preparation, South Carolina’s leaders have underscored their unwavering commitment to ensuring students gain the fundamental skills they need for academic success. 

“I am grateful to Gov. Henry McMaster, Superintendent Ellen Weaver, Sen. Greg Hembree and Rep. Shannon Erickson for their steadfast efforts to improve early literacy. Their collaboration has yielded robust policies that prioritize students through early assessment and intervention and lay a strong foundation for better literacy outcomes statewide.” 

About the Read to Succeed Act  

Adopted in 2014, South Carolina’s Read to Succeed Act introduced summer reading camps, literacy endorsement requirements for teachers and reading plans to ensure students are demonstrating grade-level literacy proficiency before fourth grade. The Act focuses on supporting literacy from pre-K through 12th grade and improveing literacy outcomes.   

This year, legislators strengthened South Carolina’s approach to early literacy by aligning the Read to Succeed Act with the science of reading. S 418: 

• Adds teacher professional development and training in scientifically based reading instruction and intervention and requires aligned training for teacher licensure; 
• Bans harmful three-cueing strategies in instructional materials and reading instruction and excludes three-cueing practices in teaching foundational literacy skills;  
• Requires the Department of Education to ensure all students in pre-K and kindergarten receive an approved readiness assessment within the first 45 days of the school year;  
• Strengthens universal screening to ensure that all K–5 students are screened three times per year and that parents are provided notification of their child’s performance; and 
• Extends summer learning camp opportunities to first and second grade students. 

The legislation now heads to Gov. McMaster’s desk for signature.