As of late there seems to be no news except for bad news in regards to South Carolina education. Many have turned their eyes to education in the state with a recent U.S. News & World Report that ranked South Carolina dead last in education. See the ranking here.
While many question just the accuracy of the aforementioned report, including us, and the factors taken into consideration to determine ranking—there is no question public education is in need of improvement in the palmetto state. But, are we really investing enough in education to make a real difference? Do you believe all students in this state have the same chance at a high quality education, no matter their zip code?
According to South Carolina’s own funding formula the answer is a resounding NO, and this year’s version of the budget did little to address the issue. The SC House approved 2017-2018 budget increases Base Student Cost by just $50…yes we said a whopping $50 – which brings the state supported base student cost per student up to $2,400. The major problem here is that the state’s own statutory requirement mandates $2,984 per student. I guess you can say SC students are being “short-changed” by Republican leadership in the state.
The discrepancy in actual funding and the mandate highlight a major issue in the state; many districts across the state are just not receiving the funding they need to educate students.
It was somewhat encouraging that despite falling short in funding for Base Student Cost, the SC House of Representatives did appropriate funds to address needs in the Abbeville Supreme Court plaintiff districts – those districts which the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled the state had failed provide a “minimally adequate “ education for in its 2014 decision.
Unfortunately these poor and rural districts which are set to receive $100 million dollars in additional funds from the Education Improvement Act and $9 million for teacher recruitment, maybe headed for a hard reality…this $100 million may actually be “phantom dollars.”
More to come on this subject…