The South Carolina Chapter of the National Coalition for Public School Options
Welcome to the website for the South Carolina Chapter of the National Coalition for Public School Options.
This is the place where South Carolina families come together to support and defend their right to access the best possible education options for their children.
Our organization supports the growing number of public school options available in South Carolina, including virtual schools, charter schools, magnet schools, and other innovative education programs.
We must ensure our children receive the best public education possible given their individual needs.
Our goal is to make South Carolina's public education stronger by preserving and expanding our rights to public school options for our children. But there is much work to be done in support of that goal.
The South Carolina Chapter of the NCPSO is organizing and empowering parents like you to ensure our voices are heard. Join us today to protect the public school options that best suit your family's needs.
First Annual South Carolina Chapter - Day at the State House
Our First Annual South Carolina "Day at the State House" was a great success. Thank you to all who attended. We started off with a welcome and overview, a legislative overview and a how to talk to your legislator workshop. Then Senator Robert Hayes, Senator Nikki Setzler, Representative Phil Owens, Representative Bill Wylie and Representative James Merrill all addressed our group with wonderful speeches and were presented with our Future of Education's Golden Apple Award. Senator Harvey Peeler received his award over at the State House. All gave great speeches to our group and are true advocates. We thank them for their service to South Carolina and their dedication to our children's education.
After the morning session, we broke for a quick lunch from Chick-fil-a and then all families went inside the State House to pull their legislators off the floor - where they delivered their letters and talked with their legislators about why public virtual education is the right fit for their family. Families also took part in tours of the inside and outside of the State House.
It's because of people like you that our legislators are hearing real stories about why public school options in South Carolina matter. It is important that we remain involved in the political process to ensure that our public school options continue in the years to come.
Our SC parent coalition is off to a wonderful first year - thank you to all who participated. Please view the below pictures and video from our Day at the State House.
Be on the look-out for other updates throughout the year and more coalition activities in the fall. Thank you for being a part of our volunteer parent group and for everything that you do. Your involvement matters! If you would like to be more involved on our coalition by serving as a regional captain - please email Beth Purcell at bethpurcell@charter.net. We hope to expand our coalition activities this coming year and continue to grow our membership.
Parents on the Day at the State House and Why They Support Their Child's Education
South Carolina Legislative Champions - Day at the State House
Pictures from our Day at the State House - Thursday April 15, 2010
South Carolina Picnics:
Our South Carolina chapter hosted three back to school picnics in Greenville, Columbia, and Charleston. The response from you all was fantastic and it was great to meet all of you and share our vision here in South Carolina. We had over 200 people attend our Greenville picnic, over 150 in Columbia, and 75 folks in Charleston (who braved the torrential downpour). Here are some pictures
Greenville Picnic
Columbia Picnic
Charleston Picnic
In the News:
11/18/09: Associated Press: SC ranks second in survey of online learning
