In a pivotal meeting of the South Carolina Finance Committee on April 29, 2025, education leaders outlined ambitious goals aimed at enhancing student literacy and math proficiency across the state. Central to the discussion was the "one-four-one-four" strategic plan, which sets a "moonshot goal" of having at least 75% of students reading at or above grade level by February 2030.

Key initiatives highlighted included the Science of Reading program, which has received nearly $40 million in funding to train K-3 teachers in effective reading instruction methods. By the end of the 2025-2026 school year, all K-3 teachers are expected to complete the LETRS training, which focuses on phonics and foundational reading skills. Currently, 20,000 teachers are either in training or have completed the program.

The committee also discussed the importance of high-quality instructional materials, particularly in math, as new standards have been adopted. A budget request for $200 million is set to be presented, aimed at securing these materials and increasing starting teacher salaries to $50,000.

Another significant topic was the implementation of the "Read to Succeed 2" initiative, which raises the retention threshold for third graders who do not meet reading proficiency. This summer, approximately 16,238 third graders would have been eligible for retention under this new policy, emphasizing the critical nature of early reading skills.

The meeting also touched on the newly enacted cell phone policy in schools, which aims to reduce distractions and improve classroom discipline. Initial feedback suggests that the policy has been well-received by teachers, with reports of decreased disciplinary issues in classrooms.

As the committee moves forward, the focus remains on ensuring that educational strategies are effectively implemented at the classroom level, with an emphasis on supporting both teachers and students to achieve these ambitious educational goals.