South Carolina Improves Education with 2024 Budget and New Policies

In a bold move to prioritize education, South Carolina lawmakers made huge investments in teacher pay, school choice programs, math improvements and more in the 2024-25 state budget. Spearheaded by Gov. Henry McMaster, Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver and a dedicated group of legislators, the budget introduces a comprehensive suite of initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of education for all students. Beyond funding, Palmetto State leaders took decisive steps to ensure students have the resources and support they need to become strong readers in distraction-free classrooms. 

Read on to learn more about the work state leaders did to improve education this year. 

South Carolina Leaders Prioritized Education in the 2024-25 State Budget

South Carolina lawmakers focused heavily on education when drafting the 2024-25 state budget this year. It was championed by dedicated legislators and education leaders, including Speaker Murrell Smith, Senate President Thomas Alexander, Superintendent Weaver, Sen. Harvey Peeler, Rep. Bruce Bannister, Sen. Greg Hembree and Rep. Shannon Erickson.  

The 2024-25 South Carolina budget signed by the governor includes:

• $200 million to increase the starting teacher salary in the state, raising it from $42,500 per year to $47,000, while also increasing the number of teacher pay schedule steps, giving veteran teachers more opportunities for pay increases;   

• $30 million to fund the first year of the Education Scholarship Trust Fund, South Carolina’s education scholarship account program;  

• $11.5 million for the Palmetto Math Project to fund math resources and support including high-quality instructional materials, high-dosage tutoring and educator professional development; and  

• $5 million for an educator strategic compensation pilot program, allowing districts to apply for funds to reward effective teachers, particularly those in critical-need geographic areas.  

South Carolina Lawmakers Strengthened Early Literacy Policies for Young Readers

South Carolina lawmakers acted quickly to approve an early literacy bill (S418) that would ban the harmful three-cueing instructional method in reading curriculum and instruction. The measure also ensures students are administered a reading screening three times per year, provides parental notification of student progress and expands summer reading camps for young readers to first- and second-grade students. Thanks to the leadership of Superintendent Weaver, Sen. Hembree and Rep. Erickson, South Carolina students will have the materials and support they need to become strong readers.

South Carolina Reduced Classroom Distractions with a Phone-Free Schools Policy

South Carolina also addressed classroom distractions by including a cell phone provision in the state budget. The provision will require school districts to implement a policy set by the State Board of Education to prohibit students from using personal communication devices (cell phones, smart watches, tablets and gaming devices) during the school day.  

With substantial investments in parental choice, teacher compensation, foundational learning and uninterrupted instructional time, South Carolina’s 2024 legislative session blazed a path to improvement. These reforms not only demonstrate a deep commitment to improving educational outcomes but also signal a forward-thinking approach that places students, teachers and families at the heart of policymaking. As these new policies take effect, South Carolina is poised to become a model of educational excellence and innovation, paving the way for a brighter future for all its young learners.