The fifth annual education gala for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) was held Thursday evening in Greenville. The Gaffney Ledger reports that $1.1 million was raised for the state’s historically black colleges.
The keynote speaker who lent his name and credibility to this important cause: Democrat Jim Rex.
According to the Greenville News, Jim Rex, the state’s superintendent of education, told those assembled that education plays a critical role in a youngster’s life:
“When a child doesn’t succeed, a whole universe disappears,” he said. “What I see missing in our state is a sense of urgency.”
But Rex has made it clear - he does not support Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs), which provide support to students attending private and independent K-12 schools. Instead, he pushes for racially-segregated public “transfer” schools, and lower standards for accountability reporting.
If Rex is serious about addressing the educational hurdles faced by African American students he ought to support School Choice in grades K-12. What good are college scholarships when less than fifty percent of his public school students graduate on time? If scholarships work to promote access and performance in post-secondary schools, why not primary and secondary schools too?
Email (jrex@ed.sc.gov), fax (803-734-3389) or call (803-734-8500) Jim today, and ask him why he won’t support state tax credits for scholarship granting organizations!
5 responses so far ↓
Jim Rex for governor? | The Palmetto Scoop // April 28, 2008 at 10:41 pm
[...] the amendment would increase vital education funding. Despite ignoring the plethora of other, more suitable options to improve our schools, it seems like a noble [...]
Private money for public schools?! « The Voice for School Choice // November 14, 2008 at 12:45 am
[...] Jim Rex wants businesses to dig deep and give to a system that arguably turns out the least prepared workforce in the nation, but when it comes to these same companies helping low-income and minority students get out of failing schools he wants nothing to do with it. [...]
Jim Rex’s Top 10 Political Stunts « The Voice for School Choice // February 4, 2009 at 4:01 am
[...] support of private school K-12 Students, Jim Rex calls for private donations to public schools and personally fund-raises for private college [...]
Superintendent Jim Rex supports Student Scholarships « The Voice for School Choice // May 14, 2009 at 4:04 am
[...] State Superintendent Jim Rex has personally fundraised for non-profit scholarship granting organizations that serve low-income students making [...]
South Carolina’s Jim Rex likes vacation, not tough questions « The Voice for School Choice // June 24, 2009 at 1:22 pm
[...] at public elementary schools and his favorite college football team, but would not explain why he personally supports school choice for college students, and school choice for prekindergarten students, but not K12 [...]