News Summary
Ellen Weaver has officially launched her re-election campaign as South Carolina Superintendent of Education, focusing on improving the state’s educational landscape.
Columbia, South Carolina –
Ellen Weaver has officially launched her re-election campaign as South Carolina Superintendent of Education. Announced on Monday, Weaver, who assumed office in 2023, aims to build upon her promises and enhance the state’s educational landscape for students, teachers, and parents.
Weaver has a strong focus on her record of accomplishments since taking office. Her campaign centers around the theme of “Hope in Action,” emphasizing a continued commitment to elevating South Carolina’s education system. Weaver has stated that South Carolina education is witnessing improvements and has pledged to implement strategies that will further uplift the educational standard across the state.
As part of her campaign, Weaver identified four key areas she intends to focus on during her next term: advancing the Palmetto Math Project, expanding career pathways and apprenticeships, strengthening civics and character education, and increasing transparency for parents, teachers, and taxpayers. These initiatives are designed to create a more robust educational framework in South Carolina.
Education Reforms and Achievements
Under Weaver’s leadership, South Carolina has experienced significant educational reforms. Key aspects of her campaign include advocating for conservative education strategies, such as the largest teacher pay increase in the state’s history. Starting salaries for teachers have already risen by 20% since 2023 and are projected to reach $50,000 by 2026.
In addition, Weaver’s administration has made major investments in school safety, implemented nationwide leading policies that promote phone-free classrooms, and trained over 20,000 teachers in the Science of Reading. These measures are intended to enhance the overall learning environment and ensure better outcomes for students.
Weaver’s campaign highlights recent improvements in student performance, noting rises in reading and math scores across the state. In addition to academic advancements, there have also been improvements in school safety measures and paid parental leave for teachers. Furthermore, the reductions in bureaucratic red tape have led to decreased cell phone use in classrooms, the removal of explicit content from curriculums and libraries, and challenges to federal overreach in educational control.
Background and Experience
Ellen Weaver was elected as South Carolina’s 19th State Superintendent of Education on November 9, 2022. She has a strong educational background, having graduated from a public school in Greenville, South Carolina. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Bob Jones University.
Prior to her tenure as superintendent, Weaver worked in various capacities for Senator Jim DeMint for 12 years, ultimately serving as his state director. In 2013, she founded the Palmetto Promise Institute, a significant public policy organization in South Carolina that focuses on improving public services and educational reform.
As Ellen Weaver embarks on her re-election campaign, she is poised to leverage her experience and promote her record to ensure that South Carolina continues to progress in education. Her upcoming plans reflect a commitment to fostering a high-performing educational system designed to meet the needs of all stakeholders involved, including students, parents, and teachers.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Ellen Weaver Running for Re-election as Education Superintendent
Former South Carolina Education Superintendent, Dr. Barbara Nielsen, Dies; Leaves Behind Illustrious Career Legacy
Additional Resources
- Live 5 News
- Wikipedia: Education in South Carolina
- WRDW News
- Google Search: Ellen Weaver South Carolina Superintendent
- WMBF News
- Google Scholar: Ellen Weaver
- Greenville Business Magazine
- Encyclopedia Britannica: South Carolina
- WACH News
- Google News: Ellen Weaver re-election
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
