Ellen Weaver Announces Re-Election Campaign for State Superintendent of Education

“Hope in Action for South Carolina’s Students”

South Carolina Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver has officially announced her campaign for re-election, highlighting a strong record of results and a renewed focus on what she calls “Hope in Action” — a commonsense, conservative reform agenda focused on students, parents, and teachers across the Palmetto State.

Since taking office in 2023, Weaver has led a broad range of education reforms that have positioned South Carolina as a national leader in literacy, school safety, and teacher support. Under her leadership, the state enacted the largest teacher pay increase in history, launched the Free to Focus initiative to promote phone-free classrooms, and trained more than 20,000 teachers in the Science of Reading — a proven approach credited with helping boost literacy scores even as national averages have declined.

“Hope isn’t passive — it’s a plan. And in South Carolina, that plan is working,” Weaver said. “When we pair high expectations with high support, our students rise. We’ve proven that South Carolina can lead the nation in literacy, safety, and innovation. Now it’s time to build on that momentum and finish the job.”

Since 2023, starting teacher pay has increased by $8,500, putting the state on track to reach $50,000 by 2026. The Free to Focus initiative has made South Carolina one of the first states in the nation to adopt comprehensive phone-free school policies, restoring classroom focus and encouraging in-person connections among students.

Weaver has also delivered paid parental leave for teachers, reduced paperwork so educators can focus on teaching, and launched the Palmetto Math Project to strengthen math instruction statewide.

A “Report Card” of Progress

Weaver’s campaign highlights a “report card” of results achieved since taking office:

• Teacher pay up: Starting salaries increased 20% since 2023.

• Parental leave up: Teachers supported with time and flexibility for their families.

• 20,000+ teachers trained: Science of Reading training completed statewide.

• Reading and math scores up: South Carolina reversing national trends.

• School safety up: Historic investments in resource officers, safety mapping, and secure transportation.

Weaver also points to progress on reducing distractions and unnecessary red tape:

• Red tape down: Less bureaucracy, more classroom time.

• Cell phones down: Free to Focus restoring order and friendships.

• Explicit content down: Greater transparency in curriculum and school libraries.

• Federal overreach down: Standing firm on issues such as girls’ sports and student privacy.

Looking Ahead

If re-elected, Weaver says her second term will focus on expanding successful initiatives and introducing new ones to strengthen student outcomes and parent confidence in public education. Priorities include:

• Advancing the Palmetto Math Project to ensure every student gains confidence and skill in math.

• Expanding career pathways and apprenticeships to prepare students for real-world jobs, including skilled trades and technology-based careers.

• Strengthening civics and character education to raise informed, responsible citizens.

• Increasing transparency so parents and taxpayers can clearly see student progress and how education dollars are spent.

“South Carolina education is on the rise thanks to promises kept,” Weaver said. “We are not done. With faith in our students, support for our teachers, and trust in our parents, we can build the most hopeful, high-performing education system in America — one that changes lives for generations to come.”

For more information about Ellen Weaver’s re-election campaign, visit EllenWeaver.com.