BREAKING NEWS: School Choice Legislation Passes the South Carolina House

This time last year, many South Carolina parents felt defeated after the most promising piece of school choice legislation in decades failed, by a single vote, to pass. While frustrated, these parents never gave up on the prospect of a better future for their children and, over the past few months, have written letters, held rallies, and made hundreds of calls to legislators.

Yesterday, their voices were finally, and triumphantly, heard. The South Carolina House of Representatives passed a sizeable school choice package yesterday evening by a vote of 65-49. The legislation has three components that would offer parents in the Palmetto State more educational options for their children: a tax-deduction for schooling expenses, a tax-credit scholarship program for low-income families, and a tax-credit scholarship program for students with special needs.

These three programs are a start to what could be a complete reform on the state’s education system. It’s a breath of fresh air for many parents in the state, who after years of reports listing South Carolina as one of the worst states in the nation for education, welcome such reforms.