The Public of South Carolina Envisions Excellent Public Schools

“Folks are passionate about public education in South Carolina and they want to make our schools as strong and efficient as possible,” the Riley Institute found after a series of statewide forums and detailed discussions with parents, teachers, business leaders, school board members, and students. The Institute’s Director, Don Gordon, explains that “it is highly important for policymakers and all of us to know what people at the grassroots level are thinking about public education in South Carolina, at the place where the work is being done.”

Findings and Recommendations

The study was surprised by the strong consensus it found across stakeholder groups for many initiatives including small class size, family literacy programs and parent involvement, dropout prevention programs, and curriculum reflective of the needs of the state’s economy. Yet, although respondents agreed that the state’s education must improve, they also reported that “the education system is better than politicians portray” and they “applauded the state for setting high education standards.”

What the study did not find? People did not mention vouchers, even though the governor and some others have been pushing vouchers for years (unsuccessfully).

In their recommendations for improvement, respondents across the board emphasized increased attention to learning and rigorous curricula. Teachers argued that “the curriculum should include a more intense focus on the basics” and suggested “de-emphasizing testing and eliminating unnecessary testing.” Likewise, parents and students agreed that tests should stop teaching for test scores. One student said that schools should “move from statistics to achievement.”

Parents also advocated for focusing on “real-world skills.” In general, respondents averted a “one-size fits all” school model. One parent reported “we have a cookie-cutter image mentality that every child can and will perform like every other. Respect the differences and capitalize on them.”

Members from different constituencies also had their unique input. Although the study did not address funding or tax issues, funding related concerns ranked prominently in discussions among business leaders. According to one survey respondent “the money issue” is causing us to continue to ‘churn out mediocrity.’ Members of this group focused their discussions on increased funding and efficient spending.

Mission and Methodologies

With a mission to “redesign public schools to prepare a larger number of students to graduate, succeed in college or career training, and compete in the global marketplace,” the Riley Institute at Furman University engaged in a comprehensive non-partisan study to learn what South Carolinians at the grassroots level think about issues and problems in education. Their study, "In Their Own Words: A Public Vision for Educational Excellence in South Carolina," published in September 2007, pioneers a new initiative to give members of different constituencies an opportunity to share their views on how to improve learning.

Over the course of 18 months, the Riley Institute Project Team met with nearly 800 South Carolinians representing different counties and stakeholder groups from across the state. The team compiled information from superintendents, principals, teachers, parents, school board members, business leaders, and students of different grade levels. These groups shared their views about the issues affecting public education and recommended strategies for developing effective schools.

Eye on the ball

The goal of the Riley Institute is to compile sound information and provide it to state officials that make policy decisions about public education. According to State Education Superintendent, Jim Rex, the results confirm that “business leaders, community member parents and educators are all on the same page. The general public has not taken its eye off the ball.”

Although the Riley Institute will not use the data to make specific policy recommendations, Rex says he hopes that the results will provide “additional leverage when education proposals come before lawmakers” in the upcoming year.

Prepared by Marcela Briceno, October 23, 2007