Education

A snapshot of literacy trends in the South

Across the United States, fourth grade reading scores paint a grim picture. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), the average reading score for U.S. fourth graders fell to 214 in 2024, its lowest in over two decades. Forty percent of students across the nation read below the...

Katelyn Bergman

Written by
December 12, 2025

  • A snapshot of literacy trends in the South

    Across the United States, fourth grade reading scores paint a grim picture. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), the average reading score for U.S. fourth graders fell to 214 in 2024, its lowest in over two decades. Forty percent of students across the nation read below the...
    Katelyn Bergman

    Written by
    December 12, 2025

  • Lessons to learn from Mississippi’s education reforms

    Mississippi’s recent rise in education is teaching a lesson that policymakers across the country are watching closely, given the state’s long-standing reputation for struggling in national rankings summed up by the old saying, “Thank God for Mississippi.”
    Brendan Connors

    Written by
    October 31, 2025

  • Mandatory grading floors allow mediocrity in K-12 education

    South Carolina ranks 43rd in the U.S. in K-12 public education performance. It’s no surprise, then, that the South Carolina Policy Council’s recent poll found 47% of residents are dissatisfied with K-12 public education.  We also found that 51% of S.C. voters support legislation prohibiting public schools from adopting grading...
    Brendan Connors

    Written by
    August 30, 2025

  • Legislative victory: Senate and House reach agreement on school choice bill

    Update: Adjustments were made to this summary to reflect developments that occurred during the week. 5/1/2025: On Thursday, the House concurred with the Senate’s amendments and sent the bill to the governor’s desk. On Wednesday, the Senate announced that after continued negotiations between the House and Senate Education committees, they...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    April 17, 2025

  • The disconnect between graduation rates and college readiness in South Carolina

    Increasing concerns about grade inflation have emerged in education, particularly regarding its impact on students’ preparedness for higher education and the workforce. While rising graduation rates may indicate academic success, they do not necessarily reflect an increase in college readiness. 
    Charles Ann MacDonald

    Written by
    March 21, 2025

  • South Carolina House passes universal school choice bill

    On Thursday, the South Carolina House passed S.62, the Education Scholarship Trust Fund, by a vote of 80-32. The bill now returns to the Senate, where lawmakers will decide whether to accept or reject the House amendments.  Last week, the House Education Committee made several key changes to the Senate’s...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    February 27, 2025

  • School Choice: Second Time’s the Charm?

    Update: On February 19, 2025, the House Education & Public Works Committee considered the bill, adopted several amendments, and ultimately passed it. The amendments introduce several key changes. First, they eliminate lottery funding, instead drawing resources from the state general fund. These funds will be placed into a trust and managed...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    January 31, 2025

  • Updated: Governor, education agency seek rehearing on school choice ruling

    Update 10/4/2024 On Friday, Oct. 4, the South Carolina Supreme Court denied Gov. Henry McMaster and the South Carolina Department of Education’s petition for a rehearing. In light of this decision, we urge the state legislature to convene a special session to formulate a plan that ensures students affected by...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    September 27, 2024

  • SCPC ‘deeply disappointed’ with school choice ruling

    MEDIA RELEASE September 11, 2024 The South Carolina Policy Council says it’s “deeply disappointed” with the S.C. Supreme Court’s ruling today that a new state program using public funds for scholarships to allow students to attend private schools was unconstitutional.
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    September 11, 2024

  • Carolinas Academic Leadership Network welcomes Bryce Fiedler as founding director

    Carolinas Academic Leadership Network (CALN) proudly announces the appointment of Bryce Fiedler as its first Director. Fiedler, formerly a Senior Policy Analyst with the South Carolina Policy Council, brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to educational excellence and parental empowerment.
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    July 16, 2024