About Public School Choice

Public Schools:  Choices that Work

Public School Choice is an important endeavor for South Carolina because it provides parents and students with additional educational options within their local school district. Parents choose an educational structure or program based on their student's learning needs, not necessarily where they happen to live.

As I travel the state, I see the positive changes taking place in our schools and districts. Change leading to increased academic achievement for South Carolina’s students is especially important. While we celebrate strides we've made in increasing student achievement, more efforts are needed by everyone involved in public education. Incremental improvements made while everyone else is getting better will not help us reach our goals in South Carolina. We are still doing too many things that don't work for too many kids. Refining our vision for excellence and quality in education will define the steps we take to ensure that our students have the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed.

We are moving forward with Public School Choice in South Carolina. We have listened to our constituents and have offered a revised bill during the 2008-09 South Carolina General Assembly legislative session. I hope you will join me by supporting this legislation.

I believe that Americans expect choice in their lives and shouldn't have to make an exception for public schools. South Carolina's children, parents, educators, and citizens deserve to reap the benefits Public School Choice offers. Join me in the effort to support Public School Choice in South Carolina.

Sincerely,



Jim Rex
State Superintendent of Education