No Room for 'Minimal' in Education

South Carolina's educational reputation is low compared to neighboring states. Scores on student testing are often at or near the bottom of nationwide rankings. Public education is one thing that most politicians and citizens can agree on. But upon what are they agreeing?

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Minimally Adequate Education 'Unaffordable'

By Dr. PAUL KROHNE, The Beaufort Gazette
Saturday, April 5 2008
The third annual Break Away South Carolina economic competitiveness report prepared for the State Chamber of Commerce and released recently had some dismal news for South Carolina. Economic competitiveness is down across a range of factors. One of those factors is education and workforce preparedness, which is improving steadily, the report concluded, but not enough to keep track with competing states.

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Group wants to change "minimally adequate education" language in constitution

Posted at WISTV.com
May 1, 2008 02:34 PM EDT

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - A web-based group is looking to change the South Carolina Constitution's requirement for the state to provide a "minimally adequate education," saying it's just not enough.

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Petition Drive Backs 'High Quality' Education Standard

State Senator Wants to Upgrade from "Minimally Adequate"
Free Times, Columbia, SC: Issue #21.18 :: 04/30/2008 - 05/06/2008
BY ERIC K. WARD   

State Sen. John Matthews wants to put an end to the days of “minimally adequate” education in South Carolina and raise the bar. Matthews, D-Orangeburg, is pushing an amendment to the S.C. Constitution that would require the state to provide a “high quality education, allowing each student to reach his highest potential.”

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'High Quality' Schools Sought

S.C. education advocates push for change in constitution

By John Monk, The State Newspaper
Friday, April 25, 2008

The folks who pushed for better public schools by bringing you mass rallies, a $6 million, 15-year lawsuit, and the “Corridor of Shame” documentary have opened up a new front.  This week, they launched an Internet petition drive to get 1 million signatures to persuade the Legislature to allow voters to amend the constitution to say South Carolina must provide a “high quality” public education.

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Senators want S.C. Constitution to reflect strong support for public schools they say is missing now By RODDIE A. BURRIS; The State
Friday, March 14, 2008
Two dozen people spoke for about two hours Thursday before a Senate panel, with all but one urging lawmakers to amend the S.C. Constitution to declare stronger state support for public education. More than 100 years after ratifying the Constitution of 1895, South Carolina remains embroiled in a battle over its commitment to public education. Read more

Senator Matthews: Amendment Mission Statement for S.C. Education

By LEE TANT, T&D Staff Writer
Saturday, March 22, 2008

State Sen. John Matthews, D-Orangeburg, is seeking to elevate the state's constitutional requirement for public schools to provide only a minimally adequate education.

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