Philip Cease, director of governmental affairs for the South Carolina Department of Education, told the House Education and Public Works Committee the department’s strategic plan centers on four three‑year objectives, led by literacy and math interventions and supports for teachers and school safety.

Cease described the department’s push to scale science‑based literacy training (LETRS) for all K–3 teachers and the Palmetto Math Project pilot designed to provide intensive supports to underperforming schools. He said the legislature previously funded nearly $40 million for K–3 professional learning and that roughly 20,000 teachers are in the LETRS pipeline or have completed training; the department offers a stipend for completion and has expanded professional development to teacher‑preparation programs.

Read to Succeed 2 and retention: Cease said the department’s Read to Succeed 2 implementation raises retention thresholds. He reported that, under the statute as written, 16,238 third graders would have been eligible for retention in the most recent year and that summer reading camps and other interventions are part of the department’s response.

Cellphone policy: Cease described a proviso enacted in the recent appropriations bill directing the State Board of Education to adopt a model cellphone policy and requiring local boards to adopt a policy consistent with that model or lose state classroom aid. The department’s model, branded “Free to Focus,” defines access as viewing, holding or using devices during the school day (bell‑to‑bell) and permits local exceptions (for IEP/504 accommodations, glucose monitors, student first‑responders, and other district‑defined exceptions). Consequences for violations are left to local districts.

Budget request: Cease outlined the department’s 2025 budget priorities, including a $200 million request to raise starting teacher salary to $50,000 (recurring), $20 million recurring and $95 million nonrecurring for high‑quality instructional materials (math and ELA), $13 million for a CTE Rural Renaissance program, expanded summer reading camps, and a proposed $100 million recurring rural infrastructure bank to support school facilities. He said most recent state investments (reported as $328 million for 2024–25) went to teacher pay and that teacher salaries have increased about 47 percent since 2018–19.

Committee members asked about technology in classrooms, use of AI for individualized tutoring and local implementation details. Cease said at least one district had an innovation grant for AI tutoring and that districts have wide latitude on implementing the cellphone model policy; the department reviewed and approved local plans.

Cease also said the department is piloting board training for charter school boards and may expand voluntary training offerings for local school boards.

He closed by urging members to review department materials and noting that many requests hinge on continued legislative appropriation and on local district implementation choices.