South Carolina Legislature Reconsiders Private School Vouchers Amid Supreme Court Ruling

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Private School Vouchers on the Legislative Agenda

Private school vouchers are once again being considered by the South Carolina legislature, with indications that they may be at the forefront of the 2025 session. State Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey announced that the focus will begin with Education Scholarship Accounts, an initiative aimed at addressing a recent ruling by the South Carolina Supreme Court.

Background of the Ruling

The Supreme Court’s decision in September declared it unconstitutional to use public funds for private or religious schools. In response to this ruling, a new bill was pre-filed last week, seeking to utilize lottery funds instead of general funds to support the proposed voucher system. However, opposition from educational associations suggests that the proposed changes may still violate the state constitution.

Opposition to the Voucher System

Sherry East, the President of the South Carolina Education Association (SCEA), stressed the clarity of the constitution, saying, “The Constitution is clear. It says in the South Carolina constitution that you cannot use public funds for private or religious schools.” East highlighted that the SCEA, alongside the NAACP, successfully led a lawsuit against the earlier legislation, which the court ruled in their favor with a 3-2 decision.

However, with a change in the composition of the Supreme Court, East expressed concern about the potential for a different outcome. “We’re very concerned now that the courts have changed,” she noted, adding uncertainty about how future litigation might unfold.

Intentions Behind Voucher Program

Senator Massey stated that the proposed vouchers are aimed at helping lower-income students. He remarked, “What we’ve really been focused on are poor children who are stuck in schools that are consistently underperforming.” The hope is that students in under-resourced schools will benefit from new educational opportunities.

Financial Viability of Vouchers

Despite the intentions behind the proposal, East expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the vouchers in providing real options for families. “Four thousand dollars toward a $15,000 tuition is not going to get you in private school,” she argued, suggesting that this approach may simply benefit families already enrolled in private institutions rather than genuinely assisting lower-income students.

Legislative Developments and Future Actions

In a separate development, a senator from the Charleston area has proposed a bill that aims to completely eliminate the part of the state constitution that prohibits public funds from being used for private education. This goes a step further in the ongoing debate over the future of education funding in the state.

As new legislation is prepared, it is expected to move quickly through the Republican supermajority in the legislature. Lawmakers are scheduled to return to the statehouse on January 14, 2025, when these discussions will intensify.

The debates surrounding this issue are crucial, as they will impact educational funding, choice, and accessibility for the state’s students. The ongoing dialogue between the legislature and education advocates continues to shape the landscape of South Carolina’s educational opportunities.