News Releases

The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) announced a major investment in math education through the Palmetto Math Project, aimed at ensuring that at least 75% of students perform at or above grade level in math by 2030. As part of this initiative, all South Carolina schools will receive free access to Zearn Math – a nationally recognized, evidence-based learning platform  – for the next five years.

The Innovation Grants Committee will host a meeting at the South Carolina Department of Education on August 18 at 10:00 a.m.

The State Board of Education voted unanimously to approve State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver’s request for the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) to assume full management of the Jasper County School District (JSCD).

State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Education announced the remaining Title funds under review will be released beginning the week of July 28th.

The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) has received formal approval from the State Board of Education to initiate a financial takeover of the Marlboro County School District (MCSD), effective immediately. 

The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) is seeking to take over the financial operations of the Marlboro County School District (MCSD) citing the district’s failure to meet its fiscal responsibilities and provide a stable operational plan for the 2025-26 school year. This decision comes after months of technical assistance, a delayed budget, and reports of fiscal mismanagement.

The stories of South Carolina heroes and history makers are coming to state classrooms, starting with the remarkable Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, a trailblazing educator and civil rights leader.

The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) has announced the state’s Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF) program has reached its statutory cap of 10,000 students for the 2025-26 school year. 

The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) is teaming up with the national nonprofit Let Grow to launch a groundbreaking statewide initiative.

Free, nutritious meals are being served once again this summer to South Carolina children and teens age 18 and under. Hundreds of local sites across the state are now open and participating in the Summer Break Café (SBC) or Seamless Summer Option (SSO) programs.

The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) announced the appointment of Dr. Abbey Duggins as its next Chief Academic Officer and Deputy Superintendent of College, Career, and Military Readiness, effective June 17, 2025. 

State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver released the following statement after the House gave final approval to H.3196 this week. The legislation is known as the Educator Assistance Act.

The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) celebrated the appointment of Dr. Matthew Ferguson, Deputy Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer, as the next Superintendent of Darlington County School District, effective July 1, 2025.

State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver announced Thursday that Corey Bedenbaugh, an eighth-grade social studies teacher at Batesburg-Leesville Middle School, has been named the 2026 South Carolina Teacher of the Year.

The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) announced the new schools that will be participating in the Strategic Compensation Pilot Grants, awarding $5 million to 37 schools across 29 districts for their commitment to accelerating student growth in English Language Arts (ELA) and math.

Learning is about curiosity, problem-solving, and discovery—and Jennifer Nelson works alongside students and teachers at Hampton County High School to develop not just content knowledge, but a bank of skills they can apply in any setting. Her passion for STEM education and now instructional coaching has made her a finalist for South Carolina Teacher of the Year.

Teaching wasn’t always Corey Bedenbaugh’s plan—he once considered becoming a lawyer. But after realizing the profound influence his own teachers had on his life, he changed course. Today, as an eighth-grade social studies teacher at Batesburg-Leesville Middle School, he is making that same impact on his students. Now, he’s a finalist for South Carolina Teacher of the Year.