South Carolina’s education system has consistently ranked in the bottom ten nationally for the past decade. Most recently, the U.S. World and News Report ranked us 43rd in the nation in 2023. For a state rich in culture, community and history, this should be a red flag for those who call the Palmetto State home. Whether you are a parent, student, lawmaker, business owner or taxpayer, this low ranking isn’t just a statistic — it’s also a warning.
Our state performing this low is a scary sight. Amid the chatter of standardized testing and teacher shortages, we forget that our education system is producing our future voters, workforce and community leaders. If we aren’t investing in our children, what kind of future are we setting ourselves up for?
The problem isn’t new, but it is persistent. South Carolina has long struggled with underfunded schools, teacher retention and inequitable access to resources, especially in rural and high-poverty areas. South Carolina’s I-95 corridor was even nicknamed “The Corridor of Shame” in reference to the rural, underfunded school districts along the stretch of highway. In some counties within this area, over a quarter of the population lives in poverty, and only 8% of residents have sought out higher education, according to the Census report…