Legislature must focus on education

The State Legislature convenes today to begin the 2005 session. While there are many matters that require attention during the five months the Legislature will be in session, there is nothing more important for the lawmakers to consider than public education.

Gov. Mark Sanford has said that his Put Parents In Charge legislation is essential legislation for the year. The governor and the Legislature would better serve the people of South Carolina if they put their efforts to matters that affect all of our children.

For the past two years legislators have slashed budgets to public schools. This has caused some districts to cut staff and increase class sizes. Other districts, like Aiken, have increased local property taxes to make up for the reduced state funding.

Before the Legislature considers a plan to provide tax credits for parents who opt to take their children out of the public school system, it should ensure that it meets its obligation to those who will remain in public schools. That is a responsibility that the General Assembly has shirked in recent years. The per-pupil funding from Columbia is well below what the legislative formula calls for.

Schools continue to be under the ever-tougher standards of the No Child Left Behind law, and they have strict accountability for meeting testing goals.

Improving the education funding for public schools should be priority No. 1 for the Legislature.

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