South Carolina launches One-Four-One-Four education strategy to boost student literacy

In a recent meeting of the South Carolina Senate Finance Special Subcommittee, education officials presented a comprehensive strategic plan aimed at improving student literacy and math skills across the state. The plan, dubbed "one-four-one-four," sets an ambitious goal of having at least 75% of students reading at or above grade level by February 2030.

Central to this initiative are four three-year objectives, which focus on advancing evidence-based instruction in foundational skills. A significant component of this strategy is the "Science of Reading," which has received substantial legislative support. Two years ago, the state allocated nearly $40 million to enhance professional development for K-3 teachers, ensuring they are equipped with effective reading instruction techniques. By the end of the 2025-2026 school year, all K-3 teachers are expected to complete the LETRS training program, which emphasizes phonics as a core reading strategy.

The meeting also highlighted the adoption of new high-quality instructional materials for English Language Arts (ELA) and math, which are crucial for implementing the new educational standards. A budget request for additional funding to support these materials is set to be discussed in a follow-up meeting.

Another key topic was the "Read to Succeed 2" initiative, which aims to bolster reading proficiency among third graders. This program has raised the retention threshold, meaning that a significant number of students—over 16,000—could be required to repeat third grade if they do not meet reading benchmarks. The emphasis on mastering reading skills by the end of third grade is seen as vital for students' future academic success.

The discussions underscored a commitment to ensuring that all students have the foundational skills necessary for learning as they progress through their education. As the state moves forward with these initiatives, the focus will remain on implementing high-quality instructional materials and training teachers effectively to support student learning outcomes. The next steps will involve further budget discussions and the ongoing evaluation of these educational strategies.