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Leadership
Your Governor:
Henry McMaster (R) (50)
Assumed office in 2017; first elected in 2019 (two-term limit). Re-elected in 2022.
Governor McMaster has championed innovative change by signing into law the Education Scholarship Trust Fund which gives families $6,000 toward the private education provider of their choice. The program is scheduled to expand access to nearly three-fourths of K-12 students in the Palmetto State by 2026. Let’s hope we haven’t seen the end of the Governor’s efforts to bring more opportunities to South Carolina families.
STATE LEGISLATURE:
The legislature made a bold push for parent power by passing the Education Scholarship Trust Fund. There is a great deal of momentum growing for more education freedom from both chambers, and more opportunities for families could be just over the horizon.
Constitutional Issues
On May 11, 2021, a highly anticipated District Court decision in a lawsuit filed by the Archdiocese of Charleston, Bishop of Charleston vs. Adams did not strike down South Carolina's Blaine Amendment but has definitely cast down the gauntlet for continued legal challenges. The Court ruled that the plaintiffs "have only begun to scratch the surface of what will no doubt be a well-litigated challenge" to the state's Blaine amendment in subsequent cases. The legal efforts continue in the state.
Transparency
School report cards are easily accessible under the “Data & Reports” or “School & District” headings of South Carolina's Department of Education website. User-friendly report cards provide comprehensive data, covering academic performance and the school environment. They offer summative ratings for schools with detailed information on academics. Clear explanations in each category make the data easily understandable for parents.
Educational options are found under "Districts and Schools → School Choice," which grants parents access to data and resources on magnet schools, charter schools, virtual education, enhancing transparency in the state. However, there is not yet a dedicated section on the Department of Education’s website for the state’s new ESA program, the Education Scholarship Trust Fund Program.
School Board elections in South Carolina occur separately from the general election cycle, often resulting in reduced parental influence and a diminished ability to make their voices heard due to lower voter turnout.