Low test scores scream for reform. Will lawmakers listen?

“End of course” test results show an urgent need for school choice reform. When will lawmakers act?

The results from this year’s “End of Course Examination” come as a hard blow to parents across South Carolina.

Instead of bolstering confidence after a year of low SAT scores, widening achievement gap, and increasing dropout rate; results from this latest round of testing only confirm to parents the desperate need for real education reform.

Even with improvements reported in English and Physical Science testing, overall scores indicate that huge numbers of students are not learning even the most basic skills in key subjects.

In English, nearly 49% of all students taking the test scored either a D or an F. Physical science scores are even more disheartening, with 63% of students scoring a D or an F.
Mathematics results are equally dismal. Over 45% of all students who tested received either a D or an F.

In fact, Algebra scores for black and white students have dropped since Rex took office in 2006.

Exclusive: Dan Cooper Bought and Paid for by Out of State Corporations

“Lexington County can’t be bought — not from New York City, Greenville or anywhere.” -Jake Knotts, The State, 6/25/08

“They’re outside of the state, trying to do a hostile takeover of state government. ”-Gene Pinson, The State, 6/2/08

“My contributions have been from people and or companies that I know, people I work with .” -Bill Sandifer, The Daily Journal, 5/31/08

“They’re trying to get a bloc of legislators that they control… They don’t care one flip about this state.” Keith Kelly, The Spartanburg Herald Journal 3/23/08

Over the course of the most recent primary season in South Carolina, few subjects were discussed with the same frequency and intensity as “out-of-state special interests.” Newspapers, talk radio and blogs have expended much print space and time in discussing the impact of “out of state” money on South Carolina elections.

In all the pious editorials about “outside influence” and indignant comments by incumbent politicians, the real story of out of state corporate-bought influence has been studiously avoided.

In reality, the politically motivated uproar has been carefully crafted to mislead voters by trying to convince them that out of state money in local races is a recent phenomenon exclusively tied to education reform groups.

The real situation is much bigger and far more disturbing.

Corrupt South Carolina politicians maintain power through an incumbency machine running on money from out of state, corporate special interests.

B.R. Skelton: Honesty Optional

When considering the problems facing South Carolina, it is easy to get discouraged. The high rates of crime, school drop outs, and illiteracy manage to make national news on a regular basis. Our state provides volumes of material for comedians looking to lampoon regional stereotypes.

Sadly, what many commentators fail to recognize, or avoid addressing, is that these issues are themselves symptomatic of the larger problem: bad governance. Simply put, South Carolina’s political structure rewards rampant corruption, ignorance, and failure on the part of so many of its lawmakers.

Consider the desperate educational situation in South Carolina. Despite living in a state with a public school system that graduates less than half of its students every year, many legislators actually boost of their efforts to stifle proposed reforms like school choice. People who have spent years in the legislature continue to go about the business of serving themselves, with no real concern for their constituents.

B.R. Skelton is such a man. His well documented actions in the State House leave little question that he is part of the corrupt political structure that has no room for voters in its agenda. The most recent example? Directly lying to his constituents.

Duplicity is apparently a strategy that Skelton has no reservations about resorting to. In a recent Anderson Independent Mail article, Skelton references robo-calls he made to combat accusations that he introduced and voted for legislation to raise the gas tax by 30%. Skelton’s message to voters: the accusations are an “absolute lie.”

Later in the same article Skelton admits “I may have voted to increase the gas tax, but only a nickel a gallon.”

So what is it? “Only a nickel,” or “an absolute lie?“

His qualification poses an interesting question: how large of a tax hike merits honesty to the voters?

6 cents? 25 cents? A dollar even? Obviously some bizarre political calculus is guiding Skelton’s decision making. There must be a specific amount which requires the truth, because Skelton obviously doesn’t think the voters deserve his transparency and honesty for a paltry nickel per gallon.

Skelton’s desire to retain his seat is leading him to lie. His votes against education reform, and his co-sponsoring of legislation to water down standards speak of a total indifference toward the nation’s worst public schools and the children attending them. It is this complete disregard for the public good that is the foundation of South Carolina’s problems.

The SC Educrat Hotel Review

Wednesday, The Voice for School Choice’s exposed how education bureaucrats spend your tax dollars on their own creature comforts in the form of plush hotel rooms. Today we offer our readers’ an expanded travel report. Seeing these luxurious accommodations will help taxpayers understand how a mere 44 cent on the educational dollar reaches the children in public school classrooms.

Hopefully readers will also gain a new understanding of what status quo apologists are really worried about when they falsely claim that education reform via school choice will “take money from public schools.” Our rankings are based primarily on the quality of hotels, not necessarily room prices or length of stay.

The Educrat Hotel Review: Top 5 places to stay on the taxpayer dime:

5. Marriott at Renaissance Park, Spartanburg- $3,630 unaccountable dollars

Centrally located in downtown Spartanburg South Carolina this stunning, new Spartanburg hotel is located within walking distance of restaurants, entertainment, quaint shops, and historic Spartanburg walking tours.”

More stunning than the hotel itself is the amount of money forked over by the SC Dept. of Education. Did they put up the entire population of Spartanburg for the evening? This is another example of the unchecked bureaucratic spending that whittles away the resources being sent to schools. The very people who lap up these state funded perqs without a second thought are the first ones to cry out against reform. In a state that spends $7 Billion on education, and still has a 47 percent graduation rate, should this kind of money really be going to lush accommodations?

4. Sea Watch Resort, Myrtle Beach- $870.24 washed out to sea

“With its two glorious towers overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the Sea Watch Resort awaits to present you with a Myrtle Beach resort vacation paradise.”

We personally think that “glorious” vacations in paradise should be taken by people who get glorious results in their jobs. Unfortunately, South Carolina public education administrators and bureaucrats seem perfectly willing to go frolic in the waves and keep putting real reform on the back burner. Maybe that’s because real education reform would put the money they spend on posh vacations back into the classroom?

3. Kingston Plantation, Myrtle Beach- $1,465 that will never see the classroom

“Situated on pristine oceanfront in the heart of Myrtle Beach’s Grand Strand. The drive to the tower is lined with palm trees, setting the stage for the luxury that awaits you inside.”

There’s nothing like a little publicly-funded luxury to get someone geared up for education. Of course we don’t want to paint spend-happy bureaucrats in a negative light. Maybe they bemoaned dilapidated school buildings and low teacher salaries while they sat in the pool sipping Mai Tais. South Carolina Taxpayers are only willing to pick up the $1,500 tab for this oceanfront junket because they don’t know about it. Why would the educrats volunteer the information and ruin a good thing?

2. Galt House, Louisville- $935.89 up in smoke

“Surround yourself in upscale, boutique-style charm in …our wonderful, newly-renovated downtown Louisville hotel. Indulge in a wide range of guest-friendly amenities, including six onsite restaurants and lounges, concierge desk, business center, spa services and, outdoor pool.”

We don’t think there is any question that the SC Dept. of Education guests at Galt House intended to “surround themselves in boutique style charm,” and the taxpayers back home have the $900+ bill to prove it. The thousands of children who drop out of school every year in South Carolina have the rest of their lives to learn to read. You may only get this free stay once. By all means, get room service…this one’s on us.

1. Crowne Plaza, San Francisco- $612 tax dollars down the tubes

“The newly renovated Crowne Plaza San Francisco International Airportdelivers upscale amenities and life-enhancing services in a comfortable and elegant environment.Our luxurious hotel offers a … pampering, productive environment.”

Thank goodness there is a place for South Carolina educrats to finally collect on what the public owes them: a pampering environment.

No really guys, you deserve this. In fact, you’re entitled to it! You (and you alone) make sure the children of South Carolina are provided with an “upscale” and “life-enhancing” education, so it’s only fair that the tax dollars of their parents should go toward your much needed R&R. No need to worry about growing class and racial performance gaps in our schools, just relax and unwind. Don’t do if for yourself, do it for the kids!