The SC Department of Education (SCDE), Office of School Facilities (OSF), would like to remind districts of the requirements related to occupancy of school facilities undergoing construction, renovation, alteration, or modular building installation.

The South Carolina Department of Education has partnered with Zearn Math, an ESSA Tier 1-rated program aligned to the 2025 South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Mathematics Standards, to support the goal of having 75% of students perform at or above grade level in math by 2030.

This memo provides information about three possible waivers districts may apply for the 2026–27 administration of SC READY. Districts must fill out the SC READY Waiver Form to apply.

This memorandum outlines continued efforts to expand the success of the Palmetto Literacy Project (PLP) through statewide support. During the 2026–27 school year, the Office of Instructional Supports (OIS) Literacy Specialist Team will provide targeted regional support and professional learning for all Read to Succeed Reading Coaches across South Carolina, reinforcing our commitment to improving reading outcomes for every student.

For accountability purposes under the Education and Economic Development Act (EEDA), the Office of Career Readiness collects data for the Career Specialist Accountability Report (CSAR) twice annually—in January and June. This report helps ensure that school counseling personnel are coordinating and facilitating career awareness, career exploration, and career preparation activities for students throughout the academic year.

This survey must be completed no later than Friday, August 14, 2026. Your 2026-2027 adult education allocation cannot be determined without this information.

The Office of Assessment and Standards Science Standards Team is excited to offer Office Hours for Fall 2026. These sessions are designed for teachers of science. Each session will kick off with 20 minutes of facilitated learning centered around a science instructional practice, resources, or support.

The memorandum and table below outline district and public release dates for 2025-26 statewide assessments and school report cards. Our statewide assessments and accountability system function like a GPS. They help us celebrate the progress our students and teachers have made, and they also help leaders better understand students’ needs as we set the vision for the coming year.

As part of the Noncertified Teacher Pilot Program, the Office of Leadership Effectiveness has established guidance outlining how schools and districts are to monitor the instructional performance of each noncertified teacher.

The South Carolina Department of Education’s Office of Assessment and Standards is offering a free, two-day Algebra 1 and Geometry with Statistics professional learning opportunity (PLO) for middle school and high school math teachers. The workshop will consist of two face-to-face sessions held on consecutive days. Teachers can attend one or both sessions.

As districts prepare for the 2026-27 school year, this memorandum summarizes Act 204 of 2026, which establishes statewide requirements for consistent grading practices in public school districts and charter schools. South Carolina’s College- and Career-Ready Standards and state accountability system are designed to ensure that high school graduates are truly ready for college, career, military service, and civic engagement.

To ensure the unique requirements for health and physical education courses across the
varying grade levels are correctly identified and the appropriate personnel are providing this
essential instruction, the SCDE Course Code Database has been updated.

The Office of Federal and State Accountability will offer virtual professional development
sessions to support districts and schools in refining their District Strategic Plans and
School Renewal Plans.

The Office of Leadership Effectiveness is pleased to announce a new cohort of South Carolina School Leadership Executive Institute (SLEI) is open to experienced school leaders with three or more years of experience beginning September 2026.