Why it matters: Rep. Dwight Loftis, a current EOC members, states we pay $9.5 billion every year for our SC schools. So, what is wrong with accountability?
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We have to recognize that the best way to make sure children get a decent education – even if their parents don’t care a whit about education – is by giving them a good teacher.
Why it is important: Columnist Cindi Ross Scoppe’s editorial discusses the need for teachers to get the pay and respect they deserve. Her editorial was published along with a series the paper did about SC teachers leaving the classroom. Link to “Classrooms in Crisis” series in the editorial.
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Mississippi students are ahead of SC. What can they tell us about improvement?
Why it is important: “After embracing innovative, student-centered policies, adopting comprehensive reforms and setting higher expectations for children, we have seen consistent improvement in NAEP scores for multiple years. The results of the Nation’s Report Card indicate these reforms are yielding positive results.” – Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant
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Jeb Bush says that Florida’s results are improving because reforms are working for all students
Why it is important: Jeb Bush responds to those who ask what Florida is doing to show growth. His answer: “There’s no great secret. The key ingredients are persistence and an unwavering commitment to putting the needs and interests of students ahead of anything or anyone else.”
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Nation’s Report Card Released: Mississippi 4th graders pass South Carolina
Why it matters: South Carolina residents have wisecracked “Thank God for Mississippi” for many years. That is no longer true. The investment in quality pre-K and early literacy has paid off for states like Mississippi and Florida, who are seeing improvements.
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Education Trust states South Carolina’s “failure to intervene and address such declines in student performance demonstrates a lack of leadership and should be unacceptable.”
Why it is important: For historically underachieving groups like African-American students and disabled students, results on the “Nation’s Report Card” are lower now than they were in 2009 for every tested subject and grade.
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