The Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) requests your assistance. SCDE's Information Technology (IT) staff have engaged in discussions with multiple manufacturers and resellers regarding classroom devices to support districts with equipment refresh efforts. These discussions have indicated that cooperative purchasing may result in significant cost savings. To plan accordingly, SCDE must determine the budget required to support these purchases.

This memo provides critical updates and actionable guidance regarding the adoption of K-12 math instructional materials. Please review the information carefully to ensure timely compliance with outlined processes and deadlines.

The Read to Succeed Team within the Office of Instructional Supports (OIS) is committed to supporting districts in delivering high-quality Summer Reading Camps (SRC) for 2025. This memorandum provides key details on reporting requirements, PowerSchool updates, and best practices to ensure smooth implementation.

The Office of Assessment and Standards Math Standards Team is excited to offer Office Hours and Webinars for Spring 2025 and face-to-face professional learning opportunities for Summer 2025.

Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 9-1-1795, beginning in School Year (SY) 2018–19 and annually thereafter, the State Board of Education (SBE) designates areas of critical academic need and critical geographic need for the employment of retired certified teachers who will be exempt from the earnings limitations imposed by S.C. Code Ann. § 9-1-1790.

On March 25, 2025, Governor Henry McMaster will proclaim April as the Month of the Military Child or “Purple Up! For Military Kids” in South Carolina to celebrate students whose service member parents serve and protect our country.

This memorandum provides guidance concerning the status of all courses approved currently for earning a Read to Succeed (R2S) endorsement. The R2S Act, as amended by Act 114 of 2024, establishes that courses and professional development for in-service educators must be aligned with a set of essential competencies established by the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) and grounded in the science of reading, structured literacy, and foundational literacy skills.

The 135-day membership collection will open on March 25, 2025, and close on April 16, 2025. The links provided below will update daily at 12:30 p.m. and reflect the data published by the district from PowerSchool to Ed-Fi before 8:00 p.m. the prior day. You may submit revised data during the collection period and retrieve updated reports.

The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) announces that the 2024–25 Request
for Proposals for the Federal Sexual Risk Avoidance Education subgrant program is now
available online. Approximately $1,100,000 in funding will be distributed on a competitive
basis and the deadline to apply is April 15, 2025.

Talent Matters. The path to retaining our best and brightest teachers includes recognizing
their expertise and impact. The South Carolina Department of Education maintains a file of
emerging classroom leaders including distinguished teachers and principals. These
educators may be considered for recognition programs and membership on advisory
groups, and task forces. Your recommendations will identify educators who we can
recognize as experts in your community and our state.