While most of the nation saw declines on the Nation’s Report Card, South Carolina bucked the trend. Early elementary reading scores are the highest they’ve ever been, and the newly-launched Palmetto Math Project is tackling one of America’s toughest challenges head-on. Ellen is proving that with laser focus on the fundamentals and well-equipped teachers, our students can and will succeed.
For too long, teachers had to struggle to balance their calling in the classroom and caring for their new children, whether by birth or adoption. Ellen fought to secure paid parental leave, giving educators the time, professional dignity, and respect they deserve to take care of one of life's most precious gifts: their own family.
Children don’t learn to read by accident...or guessing at words. That’s why Ellen led a statewide push to train more than 20,000 teachers in evidence-based literacy practices rooted in phonics. Today, South Carolina educators are better prepared than ever to give students the world-changing gift of reading.
Ellen kept her promise to pay teachers like professionals. Working with the Governor and General Assembly, she delivered an $8,500 increase in starting teacher pay—more than 20%—with a clear path to $50,000 by 2026. For the first time in decades, teaching in South Carolina is becoming a financially competitive career. She is also pioneering innovative compensation strategies to recognize outstanding student outcomes and attract our best teachers to support our most challenging classrooms.
Ellen understands that strong, thriving public schools are the backbone of our education ecosystem, and she works tirelessly each day to support them. But she also knows from her own education journey that one size does not fit all. That’s why she fought for—and won—South Carolina’s largest-ever school choice program, the Education Scholarship Trust Fund. This flexible, parent-driven program is bridging the divide between all types of education options and putting the needs of students first. She continues to champion charters, open enrollment, and innovations like microschools, ensuring that every family has the freedom to choose what works best for their child, regardless of their zip code.
Nothing matters more than keeping our students and educators safe. That’s why Ellen worked with the Governor and General Assembly to deliver over $60 million for critical school infrastructure upgrades—as well as major investments in school resource officers (SROs), safe school buses, and innovative mapping technology to equip our law enforcement and first responder partners with accurate information when minutes matter. South Carolina is now a national model for proactive school protection.
Ellen knows our teachers didn’t go into teaching to do endless paperwork. Under her leadership, South Carolina has advanced a policy to provide teachers with unencumbered planning time. The SC Department of Education is also cutting needless mandates, streamlining reporting and certification requirements, and focusing on high-quality professional development that respects teachers’ time and intelligence so that our educators can focus on what matters: teaching and learning.
Phone addiction was fueling student distraction, fights, and anxiety…and teacher exasperation. That’s why Ellen stepped up to advocate alongside teachers for South Carolina’s common sense Free to Focus policy. The Palmetto State now leads the nation with a bold, bell-to-bell phone-free school day. The results are in: more orderly classrooms, more focus on instruction and face-to-face friendships, and even more laughter at the cafeteria lunch table.
Parents have a right to know what their children are being exposed to, students deserve age-appropriate materials. South Carolina taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize graphic sexual content of any kind in public schools. That’s why Ellen partnered with the State Board of Education and General Assembly to open library catalogs, create statewide clarity and accountability, and remove sexually explicit content from schools. Trust is the foundation of public education and while vigilance will always be necessary, parents are being treated as valued authorities in their child's education.
When the Biden Administration tried to rewrite Title IX and erase biology-based protections for girls, Ellen fought back—and won. She continues to clearly oppose the cancer of any ideology that seeks to convince children that they are victims, as well as defend against woke activists’ lawfare that seeks to undermine common sense and destroy South Carolina values and laws enacted by the peoples' elected representatives. She is prepared to step up and lead as the Trump Administration returns control of education to the states, where it has always belonged.
Harnessing the same winning gameplan that is moving the needle in reading, under Ellen’s leadership, South Carolina is scaling a comprehensive plan to strengthen math: high-quality instructional materials and professional development, experienced math coaches, and high-dose tutoring for students who need an extra boost. This is a long-term commitment to computational excellence and ensuring every child is a “math kid.”
Career and Technology Education (CTE) is surging in SC. The number of students receiving a national- or state-recognized credential each year has doubled since 2019. Students need to graduate with more than a diploma—they need direction and skill. That’s why Ellen believes we must connect classroom learning with real-world relevance: expanding apprenticeships, industry-aligned career programs, and other work-based learning. Her goal is for every South Carolina graduate to be prepared for college, career, or military service. Equipping our students to thrive in the age of AI means elevating and celebrating all pathways to success, including a strong focus on the skilled trades: noble, well-paying work that helps build our shared future.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once wrote, “Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education." Ellen is focused on building a foundation of civic knowledge and personal resilience—preparing informed citizens who know our shared history and carry values like courage, integrity, and service into our shared future. A strong America starts with educated citizens equipped to wisely exercise their rights and fulfill their responsibility to their families, neighbors, and community. As we prepare to celebrate American's 250th birthday in 2026, Ellen is determined that South Carolina will lead the way in patriotic education, ensuring every student knows the foundational role our Palmetto State played in securing American freedom! Find free civics resources and learn more about the exciting Palmetto Civics Project today.
South Carolinians deserve to see results for their investment. Ellen's team continues to develop clear, simple dashboards to make academic progress and financial data accessible to every parent, teacher, and taxpayer. She is also launching family-friendly resources to enable parents, guardians, and community partners to support the learning journey of students and volunteer their time in local schools.
