How each state gives parents the ability to choose a safe and effective school for their children.
School Choice
in America
Summary:
South Carolina offers families limited school choice options. The state does not support private school choice. But it does allow for some choice within the public education system.
Public School Choice:
The Education Commission of the States reports that South Carolina has implemented two open enrollment policies to facilitate voluntary, inter-district school transfers. The Center for Education Reform reports that South Carolina has an average charter school law. In all, approximately 9,700 students attended one of the state's 44 public charter schools in 2007-08.
Online Learning:
South Carolina offers a state-led online program, several statewide programs, and virtual charter schools. According to the Keeping Pace with K-12 Online Learning report, the South Carolina Virtual School Program, which serves as the state’s state-led program, had 7,389 supplemental course registrations in 2007-2008. As of the fall of 2008, three virtual charter schools began serving students in South Carolina – South Carolina Virtual Charter School (SCVCS), South Carolina Connections Academy (SCCA), and Insight School of South Carolina.
Recent Developments:
A bill to phase-in statewide open-enrollment within the public school system was vetoed by Republican Governor Mark Sanford, who claimed the bill's passage "would represent a step backwards in the education reform movement in that it would create the illusion of reform where none would actually exist." According to the South Carolinians for Responsible Government, Governor Sanford advocated for private school choice legislation that would have provided parents with a scholarship or a tax credit to attend the school of their choice. Sanford's proposal failed to pass in either the House or Senate.
Click here for detailed information on South Carolina's public school system and see below for school choice contacts in South Carolina.
Want to join the fight to improve education in South Carolina through school choice programs? You can:
- Contact your elected officials
- Call talk radio
- Write a letter to the editor
- Support education groups in South Carolina
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Carolinas State CAPE
James K. Rumrill, Network Coordinator, Carolinas Coalition for Private Education (CARCOPE) PO Box 4143 Greenville, SC 29608-4143 Phone: 864-242-0720 Fax: 864-242-0720 E-mail: scpais@bellsouth.net |
Partners Advancing Choice in Education (PACE)
Dr. Earle W. Lingle 1323 Pendleton Street Columbia, SC 29201 Phone: (803) 254-1201 E-mail: pacefdnsc@yahoo.com |
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South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools
Kathleen Carper, President 930 Knox Abbott Drive Cayce, SC 29033 Phone: (803) 454-0427 Fax: (803) 454-0428 Website: www.scaihs.org E-mail: SCAIHS@scaihs.org |
South Carolina Home Educators Association
P.O. Box 2707 Irmo, SC 29063 Phone: (803) 772-2330 Website: www.schomeeducatorsassociation.org E-mail: SCHEA1@schomeeducatorsassociation.org |
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South Carolina Policy Council
Mr. Edward T. McMullen, Jr., President 1323 Pendleton Street Columbia, SC 29201 Phone: (803) 779-5022 Fax: (803) 779-4953 Website: www.scpolicycouncil.com E-mail: virginia@scpolicycouncil.com |
South Carolinians for Responsible Government
Randy Page, President 3020 Devine St. Columbia, SC 29205 Phone: (803) 212-1051 Fax: (803) 212-1052 Website: www.scrgov.org E-mail: randy@scrgov.org |
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