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SC Manufacturers Alliance & SC Chamber of Commerce Call on Senate to Pass Education Reform

By February 4, 2020Manufacturing News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2020

Media Contact:

James Richter
803-528-1288
richter@myscma.com

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SC Manufacturers Alliance & SC Chamber of Commerce Call on Senate to Pass Education Reform

(COLUMBIA, SC) – Two of South Carolina’s largest business organizations are urging the South Carolina Senate to pass meaningful education reform in 2020.

Today, the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA) and the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce delivered a jointly-authored letter to the members of the S.C. State Senate urging lawmakers to pass meaningful education reform into law this legislative session. The letter also asked Senators to support the inclusion of specific education reforms and initiatives:

  • Increasing teacher salaries;
  • Overhauling career pathways to align with in-demand careers;
  • Statewide expansion of 4K for children living in low-income households;
  • Allowing for the creation of multiple Schools of Innovation in districts;
  • Implementing a stronger accountability system for chronically underperforming schools and districts;
  • Establishing a statewide workforce readiness goal for increasing the number of South Carolinians with a post-secondary degree or credential;
  • And strengthening Read to Succeed to ensure more students are reading on grade level by the end of 3rd grade.

Sara Hazzard, President & CEO of the S.C. Manufacturers Alliance said, “South Carolina is home to more than 5,000 world-class manufacturing companies that employ over 250,000 South Carolinians. It is essential for our State to prioritize in our future workforce so that all South Carolina students have access to a quality education that leads to meaningful employment. It’s time to take action and we urge the Senate to pass meaningful education reform.”  

“It’s time for the Senate to finish the job on comprehensive education reform,” said Ted Pitts, President & CEO of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce. “Producing high-quality students prepared for a career is imperative for the future of our workforce and the success of our state’s businesses. The Senate needs to do its job and pass meaningful education reform.”

 

A copy of the letter sent to the members of the Senate is available HERE.

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South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance

www.myscma.com

The South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance is the only statewide organization dedicated exclusively to the interests of manufacturers. Its mission is to elevate the quality of life for all South Carolinians by advancing the state’s manufacturing industry. The SCMA membership is comprised of more than 200 manufacturing companies that represent more than 80,000 associates in South Carolina. 

South Carolina Chamber of Commerce

www.scchamber.net

The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce is the State’s Champion for Business, with a vision to make South Carolina the best place in the nation to live, work, and do business. A statewide organization that promotes pro-job and business policies at the state and federal level, it brings together businesses across the state with coordinated strategies, trainings, committees, and events. With a unified voice, we can make the biggest impact. Our member insights shape the policies we write, and the agenda we promote at the State House.