(Columbia) -- Governor David M. Beasley today signed into law a sweeping school reform measure that he says completes the first phase of his Dad on a mission plan to transform South Carolina schools.

 But Im still a Dad on a mission  because I wont be satisfied until every student in every school across this state is meeting their God-given potential, Governor Beasley said in a signing ceremony at the Governors Mansion.

 The Governor praised legislators, the business leaders and the educators who worked hard to make sure the measure could get to his desk.

 Ive never been more proud of a piece of legislation, the Governor said. Its a result of South Carolinians coming from all walks of life, expertise and political affiliations and leaving that baggage at the door. So the only agenda reflected in this bill is that of the children and the parents of this state.

 The bill puts in place the Governors PASS Commission standards and sets up an accountability system tied to those standards. It ensures that students are tested on whether they meet those standards. It also provides a clear and understandable report card to parents and communities, rating schools with such terms as excellent and average.

 For the first time, South Carolina students have a reason to expect more from themselves. And we expect more from the schools teaching them  a lot more, Governor Beasley said.

 Along with those expectations comes extra help for many schools, including homework centers, alternative schools and an option to lengthen the school year.

 Each measure fits together. Its the whole jigsaw puzzle, folks, not just the pieces. And when it all comes together, its something to behold: real standards, real assessment measures, real help for struggling schools, the Governor said.

 The bill reduces class sizes, and it provides incentives to get the best teachers and principals into schools where theyll have the greatest impact. And were emphasizing phonics, so no child leaves the first grade without knowing how to read, Governor Beasley said.

 The bill also ends social promotion as we know it, the Governor said. For too long, weve let our children fail just because of some politically correct notion of pushing them along without making sure that they have the knowledge they need.

 The Governor began pushing for school accountability and standards in January 1997, when he appointed the PASS (Performance and Accountability Standards for Schools) Commission.

 That panel, made up of business leaders and educators, issued a 233-page report in August 1997 that recommended detailed, grade-by-grade standards in math, science and English, as well as several accountability measures. The standards were adopted by the state Board of Education last year.

 The signing of legislation today represents another example of Governor Beasleys reform-minded education philosophy and his bipartisan partnership with the General Assembly on education matters. Since Governor Beasley took office in January 1995, he and the Legislature have raised South Carolina teacher salaries above the Southeastern average for the first time in the states history, increased credits required for graduation, ensured optional full-day kindergarten for 5-year-olds, created new college scholarship programs and expanded others, wired all schools for the Internet, enacted the Gun-Free Schools Act and the School Safety Act, dramatically increased funding for textbooks and created a school building program.

Thank you for being here on what is truly an historic day in South Carolina:  the day we put our public school system on a one-way track to success.

And after today, there's no turning back.

We're on the road to replacing words like "mediocre" and "below-average" with words like "successful" and "high-achieving."

And we won't lose our way because we have the ultimate road map:  the landmark South Carolina Accountability Act of 1998.
 
There are so many to thank for bringing us to this moment.

Bill Barnet and the PASS Commission, Dr. Barbara Neilsen, Speaker David Wilkins, Rep. Bobby Harrell, Senators Nikki Setzler and John Drummond, and the education and business leaders across our state.

You recognized that we must have a set of academic standards and an accountability system tied to those standards.

And not something that just looks good on paper but something that translates right into the classroom.

You understood that these standards must have a direct and lasting positive impact on every student and every school in South Carolina.
 
I've never been more proud of a piece of legislation.

It's a result of South Carolinians coming from all walks of life, expertise, and political affiliations and leaving that baggage at the door.

So the only agenda reflected in this bill is that of the children and the parents of this state.

This bill clearly and concisely paves the way to academic success.  It mandates rigorous academic standards.  It ensures we test those standards at every level.   It provides a clear and understandable report card to parents and communities.   And it helps schools that need it the most.

We're sending our best teachers and principals into schools where they'll have the greatest impact.  And we're reducing class size so those teachers will have even a better chance to make a lasting impact.

And we're emphasizing phonics so no child leaves the first grade without knowing how to read.
 
And from now on, South Carolina schools will be truly accountable to the parents of this state.

And it won't be enough anymore just to get by.  For too long we've let our children fail just because of some politically correct notion of pushing them along without making sure they have the knowledge they need.

And that's why this bill ends social promotion as we know it.

For the first time South Carolina students have a reason to expect more from themselves.

And we expect more from the schools teaching them -- a lot more.
 
That's why homework centers, alternate schools, an option to lengthen the school year, and other tools are all built into this bill.
 
In all my years in government, I have never seen legislation that was so perfectly choreographed.
Each measure fits together.
 
It's the whole jigsaw puzzle, folks:  not just the pieces.

And when it all comes together, it's something to behold:  real standards, real assessment measures, real help for struggling schools.

After the PASS Commission finished up its report last year, I said I was a "Dad on a mission."
Phase one of that mission is now complete.
 
But I'm still a Dad on a mission -- because I won't be satisfied until every student in every school across this state is meeting their God-given potential.
 
Last night, Mary Wood and I were talking about our baby -- anticipating all those 2 a.m. feedings and sleepless nights.
 
But you know, it's so exciting to think about the school system  he or she will enter in a few short years -- and to know that no matter where we are in South Carolina, that child and every other child in South Carolina will be receiving a dynamic education.
 
We can't afford to expect anything less ever again.

And now it's my pleasure to introduce someone who's on the front lines fighting for better schools -- someone who understands just how significant this day really is --  South Carolina's Teacher of the Year Christine Fisher.

Thanks Christine for all you do.
 
I'm proud you're here to witness first-hand history in the making:  the day South Carolinians stood up in one accord and determined that the public school system will be fixed.

And not only will it be fixed.
 
Now it can thrive.
 
It's my honor and privilege to sign into law the South Carolina Accountability Act of 1998.