Education

Parents are the primary educators of their children, and I believe that parental rights must be protected and respected in our public schools. I have fought against the imposition of Critical Race Theory and other divisive ideologies in South Carolina's classrooms.

I have supported anti-indoctrination legislation that ensures our schools teach children how to think, not what to think. Our classrooms should be places of learning, not laboratories for political ideology. Parents have the right to know what their children are being taught and to have a voice in the curriculum and policies of their local schools.

Our teachers are the backbone of our education system, and they deserve to be compensated fairly for the vital work they do. I have voted for teacher pay raises every session I have served in the State House, and I am committed to reaching the goal of bringing South Carolina teacher salaries to the national average.

The results speak for themselves:

• •2022: Starting teacher pay raised to $40,000; removed $10,000 retirement cap
• •2023: $2,500 raise for starting teachers
• •2024-2025: Additional raises continuing progress toward the national average

Great teachers change lives. We must recruit and retain the best educators by offering competitive salaries and showing them the respect and support they deserve.

Every parent should be able to send their child to school knowing they will be safe. I have supported legislation to strengthen school safety by funding School Resource Officers (SROs) in every school that needs one and expanding mental health resources for students.

We must take a comprehensive approach to school safety that addresses both physical security and the underlying mental health challenges that too often lead to violence. Our children deserve safe, supportive learning environments.

I believe in education reform that puts students first and empowers parents, teachers, and local communities to make the best decisions for their children. I have supported efforts to:

• •Consolidate failing school districts to improve efficiency and outcomes for students
• •Reduce standardized testing to give teachers more time to teach and students more time to learn
• •Lower class sizes to ensure every student gets the individual attention they need
• •Protect teacher planning periods so educators have the time they need to prepare effective lessons

I voted for the school choice bill providing scholarships for 40,000 South Carolina students at 300% poverty level in the first year, expanding to universal choice by 2027. I also introduced a bill allowing home school students to participate in AP testing in public schools, which passed the House in 2020.

Our goal should be an education system that prepares every child for success, whether they choose to pursue college, vocational training, or enter the workforce directly.