In this extended special edition of Kids First Radio, host Keven Cohen welcomes South Carolina State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver for a full-hour conversation alongside Chris Neeley, Superintendent of the South Carolina Public Charter School District. Superintendent Weaver shares insights from completing her tour of all 46 counties and 82 school districts across the state, highlighting the importance of leadership mindset and high expectations in creating successful schools. The discussion covers significant education policy wins, including the bell-to-bell cell phone-free school day that has transformed classroom dynamics and student social interaction, and the remarkable 50% increase in starting teacher pay over recent years that has made South Carolina competitive with neighboring states.
The conversation explores critical topics, including school choice, equitable education funding, and the challenges facing charter schools without facility funding. Weaver and Neeley discuss the importance of providing transportation access to ensure school choice is truly available to all families, particularly in rural communities. The episode also highlights South Carolina's SC250 initiative and the Palmetto Civics Project set of free resources designed to reinvigorate civics education statewide. Weaver shares exciting news about the \"South Carolina surge\" in education, including a six-point growth in literacy scores year over year, demonstrating that focused investment in early literacy and foundational skills is paying dividends for students across the state.
Learn more:
🔗SC Public Charter School District at sccharter.org
🔗Palmetto Civics Project at palmettocivicsproject.com
🔗SC Department of Education at ed.sc.gov
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