Forty-five percent of the state is rural. The governor of the state is Jim Hodges, a Republican. In his State of the State speech, he addressed several issues such as education, law enforcement, the budget, taxes, and the environment. He proposed various programs to resolve the crucial problems facing South Carolina today. Many schools are facing deplorable conditions such as insulation falling through the ceilings, dripping pipes, bathroom fixtures broken off or inoperable, makeshift classrooms beyond repair.
Some schools have the equivalent of an entire school in portable classrooms.
He believes that excellence in education only happens when parents join government, teachers and students to make it happen. The Governor proposed that at the beginning of every school year every parent should sign a Compact with Our Children. This is a pledge to set high standards for parents and government and teachers as partners in the children s education. This pledge requires the parent to oversee his or her child s regular and punctual school attendance and read to their young children and encourage older ones to read for themselves. Parents also pledge to provide a quiet, well-lighted study area, adequate rest, food and a healthy environment to the children.