South Carolina
U.S.
Rank
Score:
82%
Grade:
B
Rank:
#8
The Rise of the Palmetto State’s Charter School law is owing more to the decline of other state laws, and not necessarily its own strength. Still, recent developments in universities authorizing have helped spur more growth; more is needed. So is funding such things like transportation which is currently denied these public schools of choice which makes it very hard for Rural communities to get excited about charters.
Law passed: 1996
Most recently amended: 2016
Number of charter schools: 83
Number of charter students: 37,949
Cap on the number of schools allowed:? No
Virtual charters allowed? Yes, provided that 25% of instruction involves a “”real time”” teacher
In Oct. 2019, lawmakers were considering a variety of changes to the charter law — everything from including blended learning to giving struggling schools 6 years instead of the current 3, to tightening restrictive language — in anticipation of the 2020 legislative session.
AUTHORIZERS: Local districts, universities, and the Public Charter School District of South Carolina (PCSDSC) are allowed. The PCSDSC had been the only statewide authorizer until Erskine College began authorizing in May 2017. For the 2018-19 school year, 10 schools transferred from the PCSDSC to Erskine, and it now has 17 schools. Denied applications may be appealed to the administrative law court.
GROWTH: Enrollment is up 20 percent in two years and this growth could continue with a less bureaucratic and burdensome application/reapplication processes. The evolution of multiple authorizers helped grow the charter sector here. Operators must currently apply for a new charter each time they want to expand.
OPERATIONS: Schools have a blanket waiver from most state and local regulations. Virtual charters are allowed; 25% of instruction must involve a “real time” teacher which is the case with most good models.
EQUITY: Funding flows from authorizer, instead of the state. Charter schools authorized by a statewide authorizer – the PCSDSC or a university – are not eligible to receive local dollars like district schools are. They do, however, receive state funding based on the base per student amount that each school receives. For virtual schools, this amounts to $1,900 per student and for brick and mortar charter schools, $3,600 per student. State funding is subject to budget cuts, though. No per-pupil facilities funding and no transportation funding.
Score:
Grade:
D
Rank:
#27
The Palmetto state’s programs offer choices for a limited number of students with special needs, approximately 2,600 students.
Law enacted: 2013-2015
Number of programs: 2
Statewide Participation: 2,649
Types of programs: Tax Credit Scholarship, Individual Tax Credit / Deduction
Tax-Credit Scholarship
Educational Credit for Exceptional Needs Children
South Carolina’s tax-credit scholarship program was launched in 2014 to give private school scholarships to students with special needs, and was codified into law in 2018. Under this program, corporations and individuals can receive tax credits up to 100% of their donations. There is no enrollment cap or income limit, and the scholarship cap is set at $11,000 per student.
Individual Tax-Credit/Deduction
Refundable Educational Credit for Exceptional Needs Children
The South Carolina’s individual tax credit/ deduction program launched in 2015. This program allows parents of students with special needs to receive refundable tax credit worth $11,000 per student, or the expense of their student’s school tuition, whichever number is less. The budget cap on this program is $2 million.
Score:
Grade:
C
Rank:
#13
Requires student growth data to be incorporated into teacher evaluations; has a data system in place that “has the capacity to link student-level data and teacher performance” for those teaching the basics.
TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT: 67%
General Teacher Preparation 68%
Elementary Teacher Preparation 63%
Secondary Teacher Preparation 85%
Special Education Teacher Preparation 55%
Alternate Routes 65%
STAFFING AND SUPPORT: 80%
Hiring 93%
Retaining Effective Teachers 67%
TEACHER EVALUATION: 88%
Teacher and Principal Evaluation
TEACHER COMPENSATION: 68%
Score:
82%
Grade:
B
Rank:
#8
The Rise of the Palmetto State’s Charter School law is owing more to the decline of other state laws, and not necessarily its own strength. Still, recent developments in universities authorizing have helped spur more growth; more is needed. So is funding such things like transportation which is currently denied these public schools of choice which makes it very hard for Rural communities to get excited about charters.
Law passed: 1996
Most recently amended: 2016
Number of charter schools: 83
Number of charter students: 37,949
Cap on the number of schools allowed:? No
Virtual charters allowed? Yes, provided that 25% of instruction involves a “”real time”” teacher
In Oct. 2019, lawmakers were considering a variety of changes to the charter law — everything from including blended learning to giving struggling schools 6 years instead of the current 3, to tightening restrictive language — in anticipation of the 2020 legislative session.
AUTHORIZERS: Local districts, universities, and the Public Charter School District of South Carolina (PCSDSC) are allowed. The PCSDSC had been the only statewide authorizer until Erskine College began authorizing in May 2017. For the 2018-19 school year, 10 schools transferred from the PCSDSC to Erskine, and it now has 17 schools. Denied applications may be appealed to the administrative law court.
GROWTH: Enrollment is up 20 percent in two years and this growth could continue with a less bureaucratic and burdensome application/reapplication processes. The evolution of multiple authorizers helped grow the charter sector here. Operators must currently apply for a new charter each time they want to expand.
OPERATIONS: Schools have a blanket waiver from most state and local regulations. Virtual charters are allowed; 25% of instruction must involve a “real time” teacher which is the case with most good models.
EQUITY: Funding flows from authorizer, instead of the state. Charter schools authorized by a statewide authorizer – the PCSDSC or a university – are not eligible to receive local dollars like district schools are. They do, however, receive state funding based on the base per student amount that each school receives. For virtual schools, this amounts to $1,900 per student and for brick and mortar charter schools, $3,600 per student. State funding is subject to budget cuts, though. No per-pupil facilities funding and no transportation funding.
Score:
Grade:
D
Rank:
#27
The Palmetto state’s programs offer choices for a limited number of students with special needs, approximately 2,600 students.
Law enacted: 2013-2015
Number of programs: 2
Statewide Participation: 2,649
Types of programs: Tax Credit Scholarship, Individual Tax Credit / Deduction
Tax-Credit Scholarship
Educational Credit for Exceptional Needs Children
South Carolina’s tax-credit scholarship program was launched in 2014 to give private school scholarships to students with special needs, and was codified into law in 2018. Under this program, corporations and individuals can receive tax credits up to 100% of their donations. There is no enrollment cap or income limit, and the scholarship cap is set at $11,000 per student.
Individual Tax-Credit/Deduction
Refundable Educational Credit for Exceptional Needs Children
The South Carolina’s individual tax credit/ deduction program launched in 2015. This program allows parents of students with special needs to receive refundable tax credit worth $11,000 per student, or the expense of their student’s school tuition, whichever number is less. The budget cap on this program is $2 million.
Score:
Grade:
C
Rank:
#13
Requires student growth data to be incorporated into teacher evaluations; has a data system in place that “has the capacity to link student-level data and teacher performance” for those teaching the basics.
TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT: 67%
General Teacher Preparation 68%
Elementary Teacher Preparation 63%
Secondary Teacher Preparation 85%
Special Education Teacher Preparation 55%
Alternate Routes 65%
STAFFING AND SUPPORT: 80%
Hiring 93%
Retaining Effective Teachers 67%
TEACHER EVALUATION: 88%
Teacher and Principal Evaluation
TEACHER COMPENSATION: 68%
Score:
Grade:
C
Rank:
#25
In February 2020, the South Carolina DOE released the 2020-2024 South Carolina Educational Technology Plan: Empowering Education with Technology. The plan outlines digital learning goals for the future of the state’s education system.
VirtualSC is in the top five largest virtual schools in the country and is available to students grades 7-12 attending public, private, and homeschools. VirtualSC serves as a supplementary online learning program, offering a broad range of courses in core subjects, credit recovery, honors, and college prep.In 2018-2019, 45,912 students attended Virtual SC from 393 schools and 81 school districts in the state.
Through VirtualSC, the state offers supplementary digital resources for schools, students, and teachers. Teachers can join professional development cohorts to study specific online content, and can earn online teaching endorsements to add to their license. Resources for school include a Virtual Learning Labs, Blended Elementary Keyboarding, and skills recovery courses.
South Carolina has four school districts that are members of the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools, providing approximately 80,000 students digital learning opportunities in the state. The League of Innovation Schools is a network of school leaders in 114 districts in 34 states that aim to enhance and scale digital learning opportunities for students across the nation.
Bandwidth: 100% of students in South Carolina can access the Internet at speeds of 100 kbps per student, and many students are connected at higher speeds.
In an effort to redefine what it means for students to be successful, a coalition of leaders in education and business collaborated on creating the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate, which was later adopted in 2015 by the SC Board of Education to be used statewide. Students develop skills for the future to ensure they are ready for college and career.
By law, Schools of Choice in South Carolina are exempt from many state laws and regulations that might have been a barrier to student-centered learning.
South Carolina has a few non-statutory, flexibility programs in place to encourage personalized learning:
The Innovative Approaches and Locally Designed Subject Area Courses initiative allows schools to implement new models of teaching, and high schools to give credit towards locally designed subject area courses.
The Proficiency-Based Systems program allows districts to apply for proficiency-based systems through the state DOE. Proficiency-based models are important to PL because they allow students to progress at their own pace, by demonstrating understanding of skill and content, rather than seat time and standardized tests.
South Carolina responded with clear communications to schools and parents, and worked to ensure that all students had internet access, including using buses in neighborhoods to provide mobile hotspots. Teachers also had access to professional development opportunities to help plan for remote teaching. Districts were encouraged to continue remote instruction in ways that best served their students. The state also created a website with information and resources for students, parents, schools, and administrators.
The state quickly convened a task force, called AccelerateED, that released recommendations and guidelines for fall learning at the end of June. Districts develop their own plans, but all plans must be approved by the state and must include a variety of options — virtual, in-person, and hybrid. The state also directed resources to provide hot spots for up to 100,000 low-income students to ensure internet access. In July, the governor urged districts to offer standard full time in-person instruction, but the education superintendent disagreed with that guidance and announced the department would only approve district plans deemed high quality and focused on safety. The superintendent released guidelines for approval, which include required virtual and in-person options and a phased approach to full-time in-person instruction.
As of August 10, all districts had approved plans for the 2020-21 school year.
Fast Facts
4th Grade Math Proficiency:
8th Grade Math Proficiency:
12th Grade Math Proficiency:
4th Grade Reading Proficiency:
8th Grade Reading Proficiency:
12th Grade Reading Proficiency:
Graduation Rate:
Average SAT Score:
Average ACT Score:
Public School Enrollment:
Percent Enrolled in Charter Schools:
Average Student Funding:
Score:
Grade:
C
Rank:
#25
In February 2020, the South Carolina DOE released the 2020-2024 South Carolina Educational Technology Plan: Empowering Education with Technology. The plan outlines digital learning goals for the future of the state’s education system.
VirtualSC is in the top five largest virtual schools in the country and is available to students grades 7-12 attending public, private, and homeschools. VirtualSC serves as a supplementary online learning program, offering a broad range of courses in core subjects, credit recovery, honors, and college prep.In 2018-2019, 45,912 students attended Virtual SC from 393 schools and 81 school districts in the state.
Through VirtualSC, the state offers supplementary digital resources for schools, students, and teachers. Teachers can join professional development cohorts to study specific online content, and can earn online teaching endorsements to add to their license. Resources for school include a Virtual Learning Labs, Blended Elementary Keyboarding, and skills recovery courses.
South Carolina has four school districts that are members of the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools, providing approximately 80,000 students digital learning opportunities in the state. The League of Innovation Schools is a network of school leaders in 114 districts in 34 states that aim to enhance and scale digital learning opportunities for students across the nation.
Bandwidth: 100% of students in South Carolina can access the Internet at speeds of 100 kbps per student, and many students are connected at higher speeds.
In an effort to redefine what it means for students to be successful, a coalition of leaders in education and business collaborated on creating the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate, which was later adopted in 2015 by the SC Board of Education to be used statewide. Students develop skills for the future to ensure they are ready for college and career.
By law, Schools of Choice in South Carolina are exempt from many state laws and regulations that might have been a barrier to student-centered learning.
South Carolina has a few non-statutory, flexibility programs in place to encourage personalized learning:
The Innovative Approaches and Locally Designed Subject Area Courses initiative allows schools to implement new models of teaching, and high schools to give credit towards locally designed subject area courses.
The Proficiency-Based Systems program allows districts to apply for proficiency-based systems through the state DOE. Proficiency-based models are important to PL because they allow students to progress at their own pace, by demonstrating understanding of skill and content, rather than seat time and standardized tests.
South Carolina responded with clear communications to schools and parents, and worked to ensure that all students had internet access, including using buses in neighborhoods to provide mobile hotspots. Teachers also had access to professional development opportunities to help plan for remote teaching. Districts were encouraged to continue remote instruction in ways that best served their students. The state also created a website with information and resources for students, parents, schools, and administrators.
The state quickly convened a task force, called AccelerateED, that released recommendations and guidelines for fall learning at the end of June. Districts develop their own plans, but all plans must be approved by the state and must include a variety of options — virtual, in-person, and hybrid. The state also directed resources to provide hot spots for up to 100,000 low-income students to ensure internet access. In July, the governor urged districts to offer standard full time in-person instruction, but the education superintendent disagreed with that guidance and announced the department would only approve district plans deemed high quality and focused on safety. The superintendent released guidelines for approval, which include required virtual and in-person options and a phased approach to full-time in-person instruction.
As of August 10, all districts had approved plans for the 2020-21 school year.
4th Grade Math Proficiency:
8th Grade Math Proficiency:
12th Grade Math Proficiency:
4th Grade Reading Proficiency:
8th Grade Reading Proficiency:
12th Grade Reading Proficiency:
Graduation Rate:
Average SAT Score:
Average ACT Score:
Public School Enrollment:
Percent Enrolled in Charter Schools:
Average Student Funding:
Henry McMaster (R)
Assumed office in 2017; first elected in 2019 (two-term limit)
Governor Henry McMaster was elected in 2017 and served as Lt. Gov. prior to that. He is an education reform proponent and has called for a charter school expansion in the state. He also aims to bolster transportation options to better facilitate educational choice for families. In the governor’s 2019 proclamation of National School Choice Week he highlighted the role charters have played in closing the achievement gap and the high graduation numbers.
A story in the state’s capital newspaper shortly before the election noted that “McMaster also supports private-school choice and expansion of public-school choice options, proposing in his 2018-19 executive budget more money for public charter schools.” School funding also played a role in South Carolina’s gubernatorial election. While Smith looked to increase teacher pay, McMaster campaigned on consolidating small school districts to combat “spiraling administrative costs.”
The House and Senate are difficult environments for expanding educational opportunities. A bill to expand a scholarship tax credit to provide more opportunities for military families passed overwhelmingly in the House but failed in the Senate. In 2020, the Senate began making a push to create a scholarship tax credit program for low-income students, similar to the one they have now that is for special needs children. It was already getting significant opposition from teachers unions. Advocates in the state must insist on strong leadership in both chambers to expand parent power for all in the Palmetto State.
The courts have interpreted South Carolina’s Blaine Amendment loosely, distinguishing between funds intended for students versus funds directly allocated to private educational institutions.
School report cards are easy to access online from the main page of South Carolina’s DOE website under Data subheading. Report cards have a user-friendly interface and are filled with comprehensive data ranging from academic performance to school environment. Report cards give schools summative ratings, and contain detailed data on academics and school environments. Ratings are clearly explained in each category, making data easy for parents to read and comprehend.
Additionally, educational options are easily located under Districts and Schools tab. By clicking School Choice, parents have access to data and resources regarding magnet schools, school choice, charter schools, and virtual education, further increasing transparency in the state.
School board elections are not held during the general election cycle, which usually means lower voter turnout.
Henry McMaster (R)
Assumed office in 2017; first elected in 2019 (two-term limit)
Governor Henry McMaster was elected in 2017 and served as Lt. Gov. prior to that. He is an education reform proponent and has called for a charter school expansion in the state. He also aims to bolster transportation options to better facilitate educational choice for families. In the governor’s 2019 proclamation of National School Choice Week he highlighted the role charters have played in closing the achievement gap and the high graduation numbers.
A story in the state’s capital newspaper shortly before the election noted that “McMaster also supports private-school choice and expansion of public-school choice options, proposing in his 2018-19 executive budget more money for public charter schools.” School funding also played a role in South Carolina’s gubernatorial election. While Smith looked to increase teacher pay, McMaster campaigned on consolidating small school districts to combat “spiraling administrative costs.”
The House and Senate are difficult environments for expanding educational opportunities. A bill to expand a scholarship tax credit to provide more opportunities for military families passed overwhelmingly in the House but failed in the Senate. In 2020, the Senate began making a push to create a scholarship tax credit program for low-income students, similar to the one they have now that is for special needs children. It was already getting significant opposition from teachers unions. Advocates in the state must insist on strong leadership in both chambers to expand parent power for all in the Palmetto State.
The courts have interpreted South Carolina’s Blaine Amendment loosely, distinguishing between funds intended for students versus funds directly allocated to private educational institutions.
School report cards are easy to access online from the main page of South Carolina’s DOE website under Data subheading. Report cards have a user-friendly interface and are filled with comprehensive data ranging from academic performance to school environment. Report cards give schools summative ratings, and contain detailed data on academics and school environments. Ratings are clearly explained in each category, making data easy for parents to read and comprehend.
Additionally, educational options are easily located under Districts and Schools tab. By clicking School Choice, parents have access to data and resources regarding magnet schools, school choice, charter schools, and virtual education, further increasing transparency in the state.
School board elections are not held during the general election cycle, which usually means lower voter turnout.