Reform Now
South Carolina’s education system fails our children and casts a shadow over the future of our state. Students under perform and too often drop out; teachers are over regulated, under paid and disrespected; facilities are in disrepair; money is misspent and communities are demoralized.
Poor schools are a drag on our economy. When we fail to produce 21st century workers for 21st century jobs, companies look elsewhere to build and expand. A failed education system costs us jobs and a higher standard of living. Over time we fall further behind our neighbors and run the risk of losing our competitive edge in a global market.
Superior education opens opportunities. A well-educated workforce attracts new businesses to the state, encourages investment and raises incomes. Excellent education improves the quality of life, decreases prison populations, lifts neighborhoods, and strengthens the fabric of democracy. Quality education makes all the difference. It is time we make educating our children the state’s number one priority.
Many factors contribute to low educational achievement; no single policy change will solve all of our difficulties. We must, however, identify key problems and look for creative solutions. We must be innovative. We must not fear change. The old system has failed us. Reform must begin now.
- Of 185 state high schools, 96 were found to qualify as “drop-out factories”graduating less than 60 percent in four years, according to a Johns Hopkins 2006 study.
- Performance in 4th and 8th grade math slipped five places among the states, ranking 38th and 33rd.
- 58% of 4th graders and 60% of 8th graders read at basic or above levels. Our state rank has slipped in both grades.
- The state ranks 48th among states on the SAT, 46th on the ACT, and achievement gaps between white and non-white students are increasing.
Currently no one owns these education outcomes. No one is responsible. This is unacceptable. We need leadership, vision and passion from our education officials. As superintendent I will own these problems–and call all South Carolinians to help me solve them.
Together we can turn education around. There are no magic bullets–no easy answers. But we can keep it simple. We must focus on the three critical factors that will launch South Carolina education.
- Empowering parents with real choices: magnet schools, charter schools, virtual schools - an individualized, customized education to fit each child.
- Empowering teachers to be the creative, innovative professionals they long to be. A great teacher makes education work. We must deregulate the classroom.
- Empowering businesses, churches, civic groups and individuals to get involved and remake educationinto a primary South Carolina value.
I am calling for us to reinvent our education partnership to build a community-based approach with families, great teachers and supportive communities at the center. Focusing on a message of empowerment, I guarantee real reforms NOW:
- Every parent will have meaningful school choice, and every student will be able to pursue his or her passion.
- The number of “drop-out factories” cut in half and graduation rates improved 20 points based upon Southern Regional Education Board measures.
- 85% of our children in 4th and 8th grades will be reading at basic and above levels.
- Reversal of the trend toward a widening SAT achievement gap between white and non-white students. Instead the gap will narrow and a greater percentage of high school graduates will be seeking higher education.
