The South Carolina House of Representatives adopted House Resolution 5144, declaring October 5–11, 2026, as Classic Literature Week in South Carolina. The resolution encourages educators, students, libraries, and community organizations to celebrate classic literature through activities, events, and discussions that highlight the importance and continued relevance of classic literary works.

This memorandum repeats guidance provided to districts in September 2023. The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) routinely fields inquiries from districts about the employment, certification, and evaluation of Purchased-Service Teachers and other contractors.

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.

The 2026-27 SC Work-Based Learning Implementation Guide is now available. This guide supports districts and schools in implementing and accurately reporting work-based learning (WBL) to provide students with high-quality, employer-engaged learning opportunities.

The South Carolina Department of Education is transitioning to a new diploma vendor, Balfour, for the production of high school diplomas.

The Office of Career Readiness announces the launch of the revised South Carolina School Counseling and Career Guidance Model.

We are excited to announce the CARE program has transitioned under the Office of Career Readiness, Career Services and School Counseling Engagement Team. This transition aligns and strengthens programs that directly support school counseling and career guidance personnel.

The South Carolina Department of Education’s (SCDE) Office of Assessment and Standards and the Office of Instructional Supports will offer two free, three-hour professional learning opportunities for fifth grade through eighth grade math teachers.

The Office of Assessment and Standards is pleased to announce that a Professional Learning allocation of $10,000 will be made available to Regional Fiscal Agents and paid through District Revenue Code 3597A.

Pursuant to South Carolina Code §59-18-325 (2025), all students must be offered a college entrance assessment from a provider secured by the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE). Beginning with the 2026–27 school year, the SCDE is adding an additional college entrance assessment option.

State standards provide the basis for decision-making and educational policy development as well as the foundation for the development of curricula at the local level. The primary goal of standards is to articulate high expectations for teaching and learning for all students enrolled in the public schools of South Carolina.

The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) Office of School Facilities (OSF) requests the completion of this survey. Please submit your responses by Tuesday, September 15, 2026.

An amendment to the FY 2026–2027 General Appropriations Act provides that any public school student who does not already qualify for a free breakfast through a local, state, or federal program may receive one breakfast at no cost per school day upon request, regardless of eligibility for federally funded free or reduced-price meals.

The 2026-2027 school year marks the first year of full implementation of the Modernized National Career Clusters® Framework.

This memo provides an overview of required documentation for districts utilizing their 2026-27 reading/literacy coach allocation(s).

The Office of Assessment and Standards is excited to announce locations and dates for the Fall 2026 Physical Education Regional Professional Learning Opportunities.

The Office of Leadership Effectiveness is pleased to announce a new cohort of Foundations in School Leadership (FSL) February 2027. The South Carolina Department of Education’s leadership development cohorts focus on growing highly effective educators who are prepared to lead schools that make a difference for all students.

Under SC Code §59-29-170 and SC Code Ann. Regs 43-220, all South Carolina districts must identify and serve gifted and talented students in elementary and secondary schools.

The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) Office of Information Technology (IT) is again reimbursing districts to offset the costs of providing technology to mitigate cyberbullying and assist in the prevention of self-harm, suicide, or possible harm to others by monitoring student digital activity.

The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) is pleased to announce the launch of the second Principal Supervisor Cohort for the 2026-2027 school year. This initiative is designed to support the professional growth of principal supervisors across the state by aligning their work with the Model Principal Supervisor Professional Standards developed through research from the Wallace Foundation.

The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) encourages all schools across the state to join together in commemorating the 25th anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001, by observing a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. to mark the moment American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City.