News Releases

January 9, 2025
SCDE provides update to school districts on PowerSchool data breach: As the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) continues to monitor the scope of the PowerSchool data breach incident, the SCDE provided an update Thursday evening to school districts.

January 8, 2025
SCDE responds to PowerSchool Data Breach: Late Tuesday, the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) was informed by PowerSchool of a cybersecurity breach involving its PowerSource portal. This was an international incident over which the state and local districts had no control.

November 25, 2024
State Superintendent of Education Weaver Statement on latest Educator Supply & Demand Report: State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver released the following statement in response to the release of the 2024 Educator Supply and Demand Report by the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement (CERRA).

October 22, 2024
Williamsburg County School District board earns increased governance responsibilities: In recognition of the marked improvement seen in student achievement data over the past year, the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) will take the first step in transitioning more governance responsibilities to the locally-elected Williamsburg County School District Board of Trustees (the Board).

October 21, 2024
SCDE, SCDPS Stress Importance of School Bus Safety During National Observance: The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) and the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) held a joint news conference Monday morning to highlight the importance of school bus safety. National School Bus Safety Week, which runs from October 21-25 this year, is aimed at encouraging drivers to slow down, be alert, and use best practices on the road.

October 15, 2024
Pinecrest Elementary School's Barry Jacks Receives Principal of Excellence Award: The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE), in partnership with the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, is proud to announce Barry Jacks, Principal of Pinecrest Elementary School in Greenwood School District 50, as the recipient of the Inaugural Principal of Excellence Award.

October 15, 2024
State Education Agencies celebrate Academic Achievement of schools while stressing the need for statewide improvement: The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) and the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee (EOC) released the 2024 SC School Report Cards at Pinecrest Elementary School in Greenwood School District 50. These report cards, available at www.screportcards.com, provide insights into student performance and school quality for the 2023-2024 school year.

September 23, 2024
Four SC schools named 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools: State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver has announced that four South Carolina schools were recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools.

September 3, 2024
Statement from State Superintendent Ellen Weaver on the Passing of Dr. Barbara S. Nielsen, former State Superintendent of Education: State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver shared the following statement regarding the passing of Dr. Barbara S. Nielsen, South Carolina's fourteenth State Superintendent of Education

September 3, 2024
SC Department of Education Unveils Free to Focus SC: Following final approval by the State Board of Education of a statewide model cell phone policy Tuesday afternoon, the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) has launched ‘Free to Focus SC’.

August 29, 2024
SCDE Launches Initiative Empowering Students with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Message of Hope and Unity: The SC Department of Education (SCDE) is unveiling a new initiative to provide high-quality civics education resources to South Carolina teachers and students at no cost to local districts.

August 16, 2024
SCDE releases 2024 End of Course and Career Readiness assessment results: The South Carolina Department of Education has released the 2023-2024 results for the End-of-Course Examination Program (EOCEP) and SC Career Readiness Assessments, showcasing improvements in student performance across several key subjects.

August 16, 2024
SC students maintain ELA post-pandemic gains, Math scores show slight improvement: The South Carolina Department of Education has released the latest English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics SCREADY assessment data for students in grades 3-8.

August 12, 2024
SCDE begins new chapter in South Carolina's education story: The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) hosted a ribbon cutting for the agency's new headquarters located in Lexington County on August 12.

July 8, 2024
SCDE unveils new logo: The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) revealed an updated look Monday morning. The new logo recognizes the agency’s rich history with a fresh, modern design.

June 11, 2024
SCDE Announces More Than 1,300 Free Summer Meals Sites: Free meals are available for South Carolina kids and teens under the age of 18 this summer. Hundreds of sites are now operational across the state participating in either the Summer Break Café (SBC) or Seamless Summer Option (SSO) meal programs.

May 29, 2024
Allendale and Williamsburg Educators Honored with Excellence in Teaching Awards: This week, State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver surprised a group of educators in Allendale and Williamsburg counties with news they have received Excellence in Teaching Awards.

May 6, 2024
Dominion Energy & S.C. Department of Education Announce Winners of Annual Student Essay Contest: The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) and Dominion Energy are pleased to announce the winners of the fourth annual Strong Men & Women in South Carolina History student writing contest.

April 25, 2024
Braden Wilson of Palmetto Middle School Named SC Teacher of the Year: State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver announced today at the annual South Carolina Teacher of the Year event that Braden Wilson, a social studies teacher at Palmetto Middle School in Anderson School District One, is the 2025 South Carolina Teacher of the Year.

March 22, 2024
Superintendent Weaver Announces Institute of Innovation's Bekah Hamrick as Teacher of the Year Finalist: State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver surprised Institute of Innovation's Bekah Hamrick today with news that she has been selected as one of five finalists for the South Carolina Teacher of the Year award.