Goodbye Minimally Adequate: Support the Constitutional Amendment for a High Quality Education in South Carolina

SC Chapter of National Association of Social Workers
RESOLUTION 
Whereas, the NASW SC Chapter Board of Directors believes it is a fundamental responsibility of the South Carolina General Assembly to provide for the maintenance and support of a system of free public schools to prepare our state’s children for a future of promise; and
Whereas, the NASW SC Chapter Board of Directors also believes it is imperative that such a system of free public schools must foster a variety of superior learning programs so that each of our children is effectively afforded the opportunity to achieve in a rapidly changing world; and
Whereas, the NASW SC Chapter Board of Directors further believes the words “minimally adequate” should not be deemed as acceptable to either describe or define our state’s commitment to public education, to public education equity or to public education funding.

Therefore, be it hereby resolved that the NASW SC Chapter Board of Directors supports an amendment of Section 3, Article XI of the Constitution of South Carolina to read:
"The General Assembly shall provide for the maintenance and support of a system of free public schools open to all children
in the State and shall establish, organize, and support such other public institutions of learning, as may
be desirable that will provide a high quality education, allowing all students to reach their highest potential." 

Approved this 22nd day of May, 2009, by the National Association of Social Workers South Carolina Chapter Board of Directors, assembled at Columbia, South Carolina, and in testament thereof the signatures of the Board’s President and Executive Director are hereto affixed.

Carol Jaskunas, LISW-CP, ACSW
President

Bruce C. Hurley
Executive Director

Read Nicole's statement of support.

Monday, March 9, 2009

For years our public schools have been in decline and the General Assembly has refused to allocate the necessary funds to improve them.  South Carolinians were proud to watch Ty’Sheoma Bethea, an 8th grader from JV Martin Middle School in Dillon, SC,  tell members of Congress, President Obama, the nation and the world, she and her fellow students were not quitters.  South Carolina should not quit on them. 

NEWBERRY COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
Learning Center
October 27, 2008
Executive Session – 6:00 PM
Public Board Meeting - 7:30 PM

Resolution

Mr. Bennett presented a resolution supporting an amendment to replace the words, “a minimally adequate education” with the words, “high quality education” in the South Carolina Constitution.   

  Therefore, be it resolved that the Newberry County School District Board of Trustees supports an amendment of Section 3, Article XI of the Constitution of South Carolina to read as follows:
 
                        “The General Assembly shall provide for the maintenance and support of a system  of free public schools open to all children in the State and shall establish, organize, and support such other public institutions of learning, as may be desirable that will provide a high quality education, allowing each student to reach his highest potential.” 

Mr. Hamm motioned, seconded by Mr. Attaway to support an amendment to replace the  words, “a minimally adequate education” with the words, “high quality education” in the South Carolina Constitution which was passed with a majority vote.  Mr. Bledsoe voted in opposition for the resolution.   

The Greenville News

Readers' letters: November 5, 2008

Our schools need higher standards

Dangerously outdated electrical systems, roofs that leak, and sewage that backs up into the halls. These are the shameful conditions of some of the South Carolina's rural schools. It is these conditions, depicted so poignantly in the 2005 documentary "Corridor of Shame," that I am writing about today. These conditions are unacceptable and more people need to be aware of the economic injustices within South Carolina's public school system.