McMaster signs S.C. school voucher, teacher assistance bills into law

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - A pair of bills impacting education in South Carolina have been signed into law.

Gov. Henry McMaster signed both the Education Scholarship Trust Fund Act and the Educator Assistance Act on Wednesday.

“Empowering parents and teachers with choice, for their children or for their careers, is another great step toward securing future prosperity for all South Carolinians,” the governor said in a statement. “I look forward to celebrating these two new laws with a public bill g in the near future.”

The Education Scholarship Trust Fund Act ed the South Carolina House of Representatives last week after a compromise was made between state lawmakers. The law would allow public money to fund private school tuition in South Carolina through scholarships.

The compromise noted that the plan should be funded however the state legislature chooses from year to year, meaning lottery funds or the general fund.

It’s also expected to face legal challenges. A similar law was struck down by the South Carolina Supreme Court last September.

Meanwhile, the Education Assistance Act reduces the amount of paperwork and istrative burdens teachers are required to complete, including by creating automatic recertification for active teachers. It’s also set to reform the contract process for teachers in South Carolina.