Columbia – A new study commissioned by the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee (EOC) shows that South Carolinians have more confidence in public schools than they’ve had in the past.
In a telephone poll conducted this summer, South Carolinians were asked to evaluate the state’s public school system with a report-card style letter grade. Overall, responses were more positive than those from a similar 1998 study; South Carolina schools received more A and B grades than in 1998, and they received fewer grades of D and F. The percentage of A grades given increased from 3 percent to 4 percent. B grades given increased from 15 percent to 24 percent. Grades of D decreased from 26 to 21 percent, and F grades decreased from 16 to 12 percent. Grades of C remained at 38 percent.
In line with historic trends, the parents of children attending public schools rated their own children’s schools with a higher letter grade than they rated schools in general. More parents responding this year gave their children’s schools a grade of A; that number was up to 31 percent from 25 percent in 1998.
There was a positive shift of opinion when respondents were asked to choose a statement that best described how they felt about the current state of schools. Five percent of respondents said the system “works pretty well now,” up slightly from 4 percent. Respondents who thought “some changes are needed, but it should basically be kept the same,” increased from 29 to 43 percent.
Thirty-one percent thought “major changes” were needed in the system, a decrease from 45 percent. Only 21 percent of respondents thought the system needed a “complete overhaul,” just a slight increase from 20 percent in 1998.
EOC Chairman Harold Stowe said the study’s results play a helpful role in assessing the overall performance of South Carolina’s schools.
“Our job is to focus and assist South Carolina schools to reach the goals that have been set for them,” Stowe said. “A key part of achieving those goals is the public’s confidence in schools and realization of the progress we’re making.”
Stowe also said it’s rewarding to know that attitudes among parents of children who attend public schools also have continued to improve.
“This group, parents of public school students, has historically had a more positive opinion of public schools. Now we know that these opinions have continued to become even more positive,” Stowe said.
MarketSearch, an independent, Columbia-based research firm, conducted the study on behalf of the EOC.
“We set out to monitor changes in opinions of public schools in South Carolina over time,” MarketSearch President Frank Brown said. “This study shows that South Carolinians have a more positive view of public schools than in the past. We asked many of the same questions in a 1998 study conducted for the EOC. Although there is certainly still room for improvement, the recent findings show a significant positive shift of opinion.”
EOC Executive Director Jo Anne Anderson said the study’s findings were insightful and helpful in providing direction for the work of the committee.
“We wanted to get a sense of where we are, and where public education stood in the minds of South Carolinians,” Anderson said. “We wanted to know if what’s happening in schools is in line with what the public feels is important. To continue progress in our state, we have to understand the needs and priorities of the South Carolina families who utilize our public schools.”
Full results of the study are available at www.sceoc.org.
The EOC is an independent, non-partisan group made up of 18 educators, business persons, and elected officials who are appointed by legislative leaders and the governor to monitor and review the implementation of the 1998 South Carolina Education Accountability Act, the Education Improvement Act, and the K-12 system.
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