Advocacy

A trusted voice for charter schools, students and families

We advocate for the best interests and common goals of students, families, and educators at the state legislature by introducing and supporting favorable policy that protects the autonomy and flexibility of charter schools, while fighting against harmful legislation.
Advocacy Focus

Whether advancing policy in Columbia or improving awareness in each community, our desire is for every child to have access to transformative, high-quality public charter schools that includes:

Fairness in Funding
Ensure funding equity for public charter school students at the federal, state, and local levels.
Excellence in Education
Improve educational outcomes for students enrolled in South Carolina public charter schools.
Accountable Autonomy
Protect charter school flexibility and autonomy while holding schools accountable for student achievement, fiscal responsibility, and effective governance.
Government Advocacy

Advancing legislation that benefits public charter schools

Since 2001, we have played a pivotal role in shaping charter school policy in the state, helping advance legislation that expands access, autonomy, and accountability for public charter schools.

Each year, the PCSASC staff and board of directors establish our legislative and policy priorities through a focused review process. These priorities are organized into three key areas—lead, support, and monitor—allowing us to provide targeted resources and advocacy based on each issue’s significance to the charter school community.

We continue to push for legislation that strengthens South Carolina’s charter school law by clarifying roles, increasing transparency, and improving accountability for charter schools and authorizers.
Learn about this year's legislative priorities
Funding Parity and Equity Advancement

We support legislation and policies that position charter schools on the same level as their counterparts within the education system.

  • Increased recurring funding for charter schools, especially those in the statewide district or sponsored by an Institute of Higher Education.
  • Categorical state funding that includes technology, transportation, and teacher staffing.
Flexibility with Accountability

We support results-based accountability while protecting the autonomy of charter schools, enabling them to innovate and operate independently.

  • Expanded curriculum options
  • Waivers from burdensome regulations
  • Designing personalized learning models
  • Managing staff recruitment and professional development

Join the fight for a brighter future. Find your legislator.

SC Charter History
Our legislative wins and ongoing efforts reflect our continued effort to level the playing field, increase access, and ensure quality and innovation in public charter education. The following history highlights provide a high-level overview of our advocacy and support for charter schools.
1996
Enactment of the SC Charter Schools Act of 1996
1997
First Charter School Opened
2001
South Carolina Charter Alliance Founded
2006
Act 274
Creation of the South Carolina Public Charter School District
2008
Act 239
Priority enrollment and flexibility in teacher certification
2011
10K students
2012
Act 164
Legislation introduced a wide range of updates and provisions to strengthen and expand charter school operations.
2013
Act 29
Establishes the operations of charter schools located on military bases
2016
Act 219
Allows charter schools to be designated as Alternative Education Campuses
2017
Charter Institute at Erskine established as the state's first IHE authorizer for charter schools.
2018
30k Students
2021
SC adopts new K-12 funding formula permanently funding charter schools
2024
50K students
2025
Act 47
Active‑duty military dependents included as a charter school enrollment preference.
Advocate for your school

We can’t do this alone.

Charter schools rely on power perspectives from within the charter school community to ensure policies and legislation that result in better choices, equitable funding, and charter-friendly reforms to improve public education across South Carolina.

By developing relationships with your local state and federal representatives, you can significantly make a difference for charter schools in South Carolina. Your school illustrates the ability of charters to provide quality choice options for families through innovation and accountability. However, charters still face financial, policy, and political obstacles. Lawmakers need to hear your real-world experiences firsthand.
Let us help you organize a legislator visit at your school

Let us help you organize a legislator visit at your school

Invite your legislator to visit your school for things like ribbon-cutting ceremonies, back-to-school events, or 100-day school celebrations, or graduations.
Tips for engaging your elected officials:
Here are a few simple ways you can regularly engage your elected officials so they will better understand charter schools.
  • Add your legislator to your school contact list for newsletters, events announcements, and press releases.
  • Follow your legislators on social media.
  • Invite your legislator to visit your school for things like ribbon-cutting ceremonies, back-to-school events, or 100-day school celebrations, or graduations.
  • Organize a group of students for a field trip to the State Capitol.