Statement from State Superintendent Molly Spearman on House Bill 3759

State Superintendent Molly Spearman today released the following statement on the filing of House Bill 3759, the “South Carolina Career Opportunity and Access for All Act”:

“As a proud South Carolina parent and lifelong educator, I have seen firsthand both the world class opportunities and the disparaging inadequacies that exist in our public school system. Since first taking office in 2015, my goal has to bring together all stakeholders – parents, students, educators, the business community, and elected officials – to address the most critical issues in education.

Each year I have used my bully pulpit as State Superintendent and held countless meetings with stakeholders and legislators, to urge them to address teacher recruitment and retention, inequitable opportunities for our students, burdensome testing, and the need to create a school governance structure that best serves the taxpayers and future generations of South Carolinians.

At times it has been frustrating that enacting the type of systemic change needed comes slowly and is outside my authority to enact alone, but I am proud of the incremental progress we have been able to make. I want to applaud the media for continuing to shine a light on these issues and express my sincere appreciation to Speaker Lucas, Governor McMaster, and our General Assembly for putting these overdue and significant education reforms at the top of the agenda this year. I look forward to continuing to work together to pass the legislation needed for change so that our students can have the brightest future possible.”