COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Since taking office last year, state superintendent of education Ellen Weaver has been a big advocate of school choice. However, she also has several other ideas about how to improve education here in the Palmetto State. https://www.abccolumbia.com/2024/01/24/state-of-education-superintendent-ellen-weaver-speaks-on-how-to-improve-sc-schools/
“The number one thing we can do to make sure we have great education in South Carolina is to have a great teacher in every classroom,” Weaver said. “We know that we are struggling here and across the country with recruiting and retaining great teachers. We’ve got to keep increasing teacher pay. I fully support the Governor’s push for 50 thousand dollars to be the minimum starting salary.”
Weaver says there are ways that teachers can help students be career and college ready.
“We also have to focus on the foundational skills that students have to have. We know that only 54 percent of students statewide are proficient in reading and only 41 percent are proficient in math,” the superintendent said. “We have to focus our full time and attention on assuring that our students have a strong foundation so they are prepared for life.”https://flo3foundation.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=3114&action=edit
In her budget request, Weaver has asked lawmakers for funds to create programs focused on literacy and improving math skills. https://flo3foundation.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=3102&action=edit
She says that another way to improve education involves consolidating school districts.
“What it does allow is for us to really target and focus limited resources for the biggest impact,” she said. “I was down in Hampton County last week where those two districts recently combined. I was celebrating the groundbreaking of a state-of-the-art high school that is now going to serve both districts.”
With a background in educational research, Weaver believes that South Carolina can look to other states to see what has worked for them.
Note: The Educational Foundation of Lower Florence County is a firm supporter of Superintnendent Weaver and her efforts to improve the education of our children.