South Carolina’s upward trajectory in education continues, driven by high-quality instructional materials that reinforce evidence-based learning and elevate classroom instruction. The 2024–2025 school year marked meaningful progress—with more students graduating on time, stronger academic performance, and renewed focus on innovation and results.

Guided by our North Star—ensuring every student graduates college-, career-, or military-ready—the South Carolina Department of Education, in partnership with the Education Oversight Committee and General Assembly, is advancing transformative initiatives made possible by the General Assembly’s steadfast commitment to funding excellence and removing barriers to success.

We are aligning instruction and opportunity to meet the needs of a rapidly changing economy through stackable credentials, modernized career pathways, and stronger links between classroom learning and workforce readiness. We’ve also strengthened student engagement by removing cell phones during the school day and encouraging device-free play and exploration in elementary schools.

Unprecedented alignment is taking shape statewide: new academic standards, high-quality instructional materials, and professional development are all coming together. Two years ago, we adopted new ELA materials; this year, we’re rolling out long-needed math resources, giving teachers the tools and clarity to help students master essential content.

This momentum builds on measurable gains in literacy and mathematics—supported by more than 20,000 teachers trained in the Science of Reading and the continued rollout of the Palmetto Math Project—along with a 52% increase in starting teacher pay since 2018-19, the largest bump in state history.

We encourage parents, communities, and school leaders to use these report cards as catalysts for collaboration and continuous improvement. This is a transformational moment for South Carolina education—and we’re just getting started.