NEWS RELEASE
Education Leaders Unveil Online School Options
Catalogue
COLUMBIA,
S.C. –South Carolina’s new policy action-engine, Palmetto Policy Forum, completed
a statewide media tour today, launching a first-of-its-kind online education
resource catalogue designed to equip South Carolina families with information
about how to take advantage of the education options currently available in the
Palmetto State.
Empowering Students: Education Options for South Carolina Families celebrates education options – both public and private – that are promoting customized learning for South Carolina students. The Forum was joined for the launch by a diverse group of partners: State Superintendent of Education Mick Zais, legislative leaders, local elected officials, StudentsFirst SC, the Public Charter School Alliance of SC, Palmetto Family Council, the Midlands Homeschool Resource Center, the SC Association of Independent Home Schools and the SC Association of Christian Schools.
Empowering Students: Education Options for South Carolina Families celebrates education options – both public and private – that are promoting customized learning for South Carolina students. The Forum was joined for the launch by a diverse group of partners: State Superintendent of Education Mick Zais, legislative leaders, local elected officials, StudentsFirst SC, the Public Charter School Alliance of SC, Palmetto Family Council, the Midlands Homeschool Resource Center, the SC Association of Independent Home Schools and the SC Association of Christian Schools.
In announcing the publication, Palmetto Policy Forum President Ellen Weaver said: “This catalogue
highlights the stories of South Carolina families who are accessing the
powerful opportunity of an education that is truly customized to the needs of
their child. While South Carolina has
more options today than ever before, our job’s not done. We hope this guide will help even more Palmetto
State families take advantage of the range of choices available to them. We also
hope Empowering Students will inspire
lawmakers with information about how, through proven policy ideas, we can
continue to expand these options and unleash the potential of every South
Carolina child.”
State
Education Superintendent Dr. Mick Zais, who joined the launch in Cayce and North
Charleston, focused on the new world of education. “Fortunately, South Carolina
families have more options in education today than ever before. Whether
choosing between traditional public and private schools, public charter
schools, virtual schools, or homeschooling, more and more South Carolina
parents are being empowered to control and customize their child’s education.
That’s a great thing,” Zais said.
Governor Nikki
Haley’s office released a statement that highlighted her unique perspective
in support of the new resource: "As a mother, I know firsthand that no two
children are the same or learn in the same way,” Haley said. “That's why as
Governor, I am proud to see more and more school options for children in South
Carolina. Empowering Students is a
great resource for parents and students."
The statewide tour featured stops at Meeting Street Academy in Spartanburg, Midlands Middle College Public Charter
in Cayce, and Palmetto Scholars Academy
Public Charter in North Charleston.
Palmetto Policy Forum is
a 501(c)(3) independent, nonpartisan
educational foundation committed to policy entrepreneurship, consensus-building
and transformative solutions to South Carolina’s policy challenges. It represents a growing coalition of state
leaders who are committed to research and
promote policies that will make South Carolina a beacon of freedom to the
nation and unleash new opportunities for every citizen.
