WASHINGTON—Heritage Action, a conservative grassroots organization with two million activists nationwide, including thousands of South Carolinians, released the following statement from South Carolina State Director James Quarles hailing the South Carolina House for passing H. 5164, legislation that expands education freedom to all families in the state through universal access to education savings accounts (ESAs):
“As a father of three and a native South Carolinian, I know that no two children are the same, and parents in our state should not be forced to accept a one-size-fits-all approach to their children’s education. Following last year’s establishment of the Education Scholarship Trust Fund program, H. 5164 expands options for education through ESAs to all families—helping to end the outdated practice of using zip codes to determine student success.
“Heritage Action commends the South Carolina House for passing H. 5164 and working to achieve true, universal education freedom in the Palmetto State. We look forward to working alongside grassroots South Carolinians to get this important legislation across the finish line in the Senate and signed by Governor McMaster.”
ESAs empower parents to use their child’s portion of state education spending to meet the child’s unique learning needs by choosing a new school, purchasing textbooks or other learning materials, hiring personal tutors, and more.
South Carolina joins a wave of states across the country that have taken steps to expand education freedom for Americans. Prior to the House’s passage of H. 5164, the Heritage Foundation ranked South Carolina 16th out of 51 in its Education Freedom Report Card.
BACKGROUND:
Heritage Action: South Carolina is One Step Closer to Education Freedom
The Heritage Foundation: Education Freedom Report Card
The Heritage Foundation: School Choice Provides Opportunity for All of America’s Kids to Have Better Life