PSTA Statement on school financial dashboard

Palmetto State Teachers Association released the school financial dashboard developed by the state’s Office of Revenue and Fiscal Affairs. Increased transparency for education funding has been a key element of the PSTA policy agenda for several years, and PSTA appreciates the actions taken by the Governor and the General Assembly in the FY23 state budget to make greater transparency possible through this new dashboard.

PSTA supports increased financial transparency for two reasons. First, transparency is an essential component of accountability, something that is critically important for any educational setting supported by the taxpayers of South Carolina. Second, available education resources are finite but the needs and challenges faced in schools are seemingly endless. As a result, transparency provides an important tool to ensure funding and resources are being directed to activities and positions with a demonstrated connection to improved student achievement and well-being.

For example, research consistently shows that the number one in-school influence on student achievement is access to a highly-qualified teacher. In addition, students are suffering from a documented mental health crisis that is having a negative impact on academic outcomes and general student well-being. These facts would indicate the need to prioritize directing education funding toward increased teaching and counseling resources in schools, but too often, this is not what is occurring in South Carolina. This new dashboard can bring light to those instances.

Through appropriate use of this new dashboard, South Carolina can better ensure maximum funds are getting to classrooms and direct student services. In instances where that is not the case, state and district leaders must identify and remove the root causes of funding inefficiencies. Ultimately, this dashboard cannot become an end to itself. Instead, it must serve as a means to informed action on behalf of the students of South Carolina.