SCDems News
School reform to be discussed at Rock Hill, Walterboro and Clemson Town Hall meetings
November 27, 2007
COLUMBIA -- State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex is holding Town Hall meetings in Rock Hill, Walterboro and Clemson during the next six days to talk about his plans to reform, improve and support public education in South Carolina.
The Rock Hill meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, November 27, at the Manchester Meadows Soccer Complex in Rock Hill. The other meetings are scheduled for:
• Thursday, November 29 at 6 p.m. - Walterboro Town Hall Meeting - Colleton County High School Auditorium
• Monday, December 3 at 6 p.m. - Clemson Town Hall Meeting - Self Auditorium, Strom Thurmond Institute, Clemson University
Dr. Rex has been on a statewide tour since August to communicate and build support for his education reform package for the 2008 legislative session. This package of proposed legislation, regulations and modified policies would improve public education in South Carolina by:
(1) Creating a new system of fiscal accountability for South Carolina’s schools and school districts.
(2) Laying the groundwork for a new system of fair and equitable funding by addressing the way South Carolina raises and distributes all state revenues, with a special focus on public schools.
(3) Creating a new system of public school choice that encourages and rewards innovation and allows parents, students, teachers, and schools more flexibility when choosing public education paths.
(4) Reforming the 1998 Accountability Act to increase diagnostic testing, decrease costs and reduce the amount time spent testing for accountability purposes.
(5) Creating safer and healthier schools by reducing crime and disruption and improving the physical environments of our schools.
(6) Elevating the teaching profession with fair, results-based compensation reform, the launch of a pilot program on team teaching, and a public relations campaign aimed at changing the image of the profession.
