FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FEBRUARY 4, 2025
SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE REPUBLICANS STAND FOR EDUCATION FREEDOM
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Today, Republican Senators passed Senate Bill 62 and delivered on the promise to restore school-choice for South Carolina students.
“Senate Republicans made education freedom our first priority this legislative session,” said Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey. “No longer will students in poverty be forced to attend status-quo, underperforming schools without any other options.”
The landmark bill establishes education lottery scholarships for low-income K-12 students to use toward expenses like tuition and fees for attending a private school or a public school outside of a student’s resident school district.
“For too long, we’ve invested in systems instead of students,” added Senator Greg Hembree, Chairman of the Senate Education Committee and author of the bill. “Senate Bill 62 puts students and their parents back in the driver’s seat and empowers them with choice in education.”
This students-first bill follows a recent executive order by President Trump advancing K-12 school choice programs and establishing a White House policy to “support parents in choosing and directing the upbringing and education of their children.”
Senate Bill 62 is the latest in a long list of major education victories in South Carolina. Thanks to Republican leadership, the starting salary for public school teachers has increased by more than 56% over the last seven years, and teachers now enjoy benefits like paid family leave following the birth or adoption of a child.
Senate Republicans continue to get the job done for students and families.
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