Our recent success stories in education prove that we can dramatically improve our schools if we hold fast to our priorities. Our top priority must continue to be education. During the last few years, we have put the basis of teacher accountability in place. With this in mind, I propose we take a major step forward. With increased salaries, we should demand more from our teachers.
Parents deserve to know how their schools measure up to a set of standards.
Schools that don't perform well will need our assistance to reach new heights. We will be asking more of our teachers, but we will be giving them the tools to reach their goal. And we will be treating teachers like the professionals they are. I challenge the legislature to make this vital commitment to improving education their number one priority for the year as well. It is a boon to working families and retailers across South Carolina, and its modest cost makes it a worthwhile investment.