News Releases

October 28, 2021
South Carolina Department of Education Partners with Riley Institute to Invest $1.3 Million in New Afterschool and Summer Learning Leadership Program: The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) and The Riley Institute at Furman University announced the South Carolina Afterschool Leaders Empowered (SCALE) program to prepare and grow leaders who are working to address the academic impact of COVID-19 through summer and afterschool learning programs.

September 29, 2021
State Superintendent Molly Spearman's Guidance and Statement Regarding U.S. District Court's Ruling on Proviso 1.108: State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman and the South Carolina Department of Education issued the following guidance and statement in response to the September 28, 2021 ruling by the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina concerning the enforcement of Proviso 1.108.

September 21, 2021
Five South Carolina Schools Receive National Blue Ribbon School Honors: U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona recognized five South Carolina schools nominated by State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2021. The recognition is based on schools' overall academic performance.

September 16, 2021
DHEC, Dept. of Education Support School Bus Safety Month: In recognition of the U.S. Senate’s resolution to proclaim September as National School Bus Safety Month, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and the S.C. Department of Education (SCDE) reiterate that a key component of school bus safety during the COVID-19 pandemic is the wearing of masks on school buses.

September 1, 2021
2021 South Carolina Report Cards Released: The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) released school, district, and state report cards reflective of the 2020-2021 school year. The 2021 report cards include results from state assessments administered in Spring 2021, the first administration of state assessments during the COVID-19 pandemic.

August 10, 2021
DHEC, S.C. Department of Education Promote Back-To-School Vaccinations, Safety Measures: The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and the South Carolina Department of Education are joining forces to create and promote vaccine awareness and immunization opportunities for parents, students, and staff for the 2021-22 school year.

August 5, 2021
South Carolina Department of Education Hires Dr. Christina Melton as Director of Assessment: State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman announced the hiring of Dr. Christina Melton, a former teacher, principal, and district superintendent, as the South Carolina Department of Education’s (SCDE) Director of Assessment.

July 28, 2021
S.C. Department of Education Announces $14.7 Million Investment to Expand Early Childhood Education Initiatives: State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman announced the funding of several early childhood education and parenting support initiatives as part of South Carolina’s response to the impact of COVID-19 on the state’s education system. The funding comes from the South Carolina Department of Education’s $211 million set aside from the American Rescue Plan’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund.

July 20, 2021
State Board of Education Approves 33 School District Virtual Learning Programs: In a special called meeting on July 19, the State Board of Education approved 34 school district virtual learning programs for the 2021-2022 school year. The approved programs met enrollment criteria established by the South Carolina General Assembly and guidelines established by the State Board of Education that were derived from similar regulations pertaining to virtual charter schools.

June 29, 2021
S.C. Department of Education and S.C. Arts Commission Announce $20 Million Partnership to Expand Arts Learning Initiatives: A $20 million partnership announced today by the South Carolina Department of Education and South Carolina Arts Commission will help public schools throughout the state address pandemic related learning loss with proven, arts-based learning initiatives.

June 21, 2021
South Carolina Department of Education's Summer Food Service Program Returns with New Name: The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) has changed the name of its Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) to “Summer Break Café.” The program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides free meals for youth and teens 18 and under during the summer months, June to August.

June 8, 2021
South Carolina Department of Education Announces $39 Million in Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools: State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman today announced the funding of $38,702,511 in COVID-19 reimbursements and future expenditures to 111 non-public schools from the Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools (EANS) program created by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act.

May 21, 2021
South Carolina Department of Education Seeking Public Input on ARP ESSER State Plan: The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) announced today it is seeking input from educational stakeholders and the public to inform the development of the state plan for use of $211,205,148 in funding received through the American Rescue Plan's Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ARP ESSER). To facilitate input, the SCDE is holding a virtual public forum on Tuesday, May 25th to engage in meaningful consultation with the public and diverse stakeholder groups.

May 13, 2021
Two South Carolina Students Named U.S. Presidential Scholars: U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona has announced the 57th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars. Two of the 161 high school seniors being recognized are from South Carolina. U.S. Presidential Scholars are chosen for their accomplishments in academics, the arts and career and technical education.

May 5, 2021
Amy Carter of Chapin High School Named 2022 South Carolina Teacher of the Year: State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman announced tonight at the annual South Carolina Teacher of the Year Gala that Amy Carter, an English teacher at Chapin High School in School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties, is the 2022 South Carolina Teacher of the Year.

April 22, 2021
EPA Awards South Carolina $480,000 to Upgrade School Buses: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $480,000 to the South Carolina Department of Education to upgrade diesel school buses across the state. A total of 24 school buses from 10 districts will be replaced.

April 21, 2021
Update on School Operations, Full Face to Face Instruction, and S.704: Today, the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) released an update on current school and district operations, plans to transition to full face to face instruction, and a statement from State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman on legislation (S.704) that recently passed the General Assembly.

April 13, 2021
Gov. Henry McMaster, Superintendent Molly Spearman, SCDOI Director Ray Farmer Announce $24.54 Million Investment in School Buses, Public Transit: Governor Henry McMaster was joined today by S.C. Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman and S.C. Department of Insurance (SCDOI) Director Ray Farmer to announce that the second round of funding from the state’s share of the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust will be invested in 235 new, propane fueled buses to update the state’s aging school bus fleet.

April 7, 2021
Superintendent Spearman Announces Transition Committee to Oversee Florence Four Consolidation: State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman announced the appointment of a transition committee to guide and make recommendations concerning the consolidation of Florence School District Four into Florence One Schools. Superintendent Spearman notified Florence Four staff, students, families, and community members on March 2, 2021 of the decision to consolidate the districts effective July 1, 2022.

March 29, 2021
Biden Administration Denies South Carolina Assessment Waiver Request, Grants Flexibility for Parents and Schools: Today, the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) released information concerning the Biden administration’s denial of South Carolina’s assessment waiver request and the granting of flexibility in administering assessments and waiving federal accountability requirements in light of COVID-19.