The SC Department of Education (SCDE) and the SC Education Oversight Committee (EOC) released the 2022 School Report Cards, the first cards to contain ratings since 2019.

The Report Cards, available at www.screportcards.com, reflect data elements and student performance information from the 2021-2022 school year.

Statewide, 20.6 percent of schools received an overall rating of Excellent, consistent with the 2019 percent of schools receiving the highest rating in the state’s education accountability system.

Although SCDE and EOC officials are celebrating the rebound of schools amid the challenges brought about by the pandemic, they stress that there is much work ahead for all students to reach college and career-readiness.

“I commend the effort of South Carolina educators and students,” said EOC Executive Director Matthew Ferguson. “These results beat all expectations of what was thought possible while living through the COVID disruptions.”

 State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman noted the quick rebound of schools amid the challenges brought about by the pandemic but stressed the “real challenges” to overcome.

“Though many of the results we see are perhaps expected following the pandemic, we are no less concerned about drops in assessment results and the widening gaps for many of our students. We are encouraged by the growth we see, as we seek to continue the work of ensuring our educational system in South Carolina is preparing all students to be ready for college, careers, and citizenship.”

The cards and ratings are designed to increase accessibility and accountability in South Carolina’s public schools by providing easy-to-understand/use information for families and the general public.

Ferguson pointed out two report card indicators for note. For the first time this year, schools received a rating for School Climate. The measure uses results from the Teacher and Student Climate surveys to measure perceptions of safety, working conditions, and the social-physical environment.

“This is the first time that student and teacher perceptions of school climate are captured in the accountability system,” stated Ferguson. “We know that a positive school climate is highly correlated with increased student outcomes. Surfacing these data in the accountability system will provide schools with the opportunity to take necessary action to make sure that climate is not a barrier to student success or teacher satisfaction.”

 The School Report Cards, which are based on South Carolina’s education accountability system, are required for all elementary, middle, and high schools which receive overall ratings based on a 100-point scale.

The ratings follow terms outlined in state law: Excellent, Good, Average, Below Average, and Unsatisfactory. Schools also receive ratings on various indicators, such as graduation rate, academic achievement, and college and career-readiness.

Friends, family, elected and court officials and others gathered at the dedication ceremony of the Carroll A. Campbell, Jr. United States Courthouse in downtown Greenville on Monday Oct. 17, 2022, in honor of the late state legislator, congressman, and governor who was a Greenville native.

The award-winning courthouse covers nearly two acres and 193,000 square feet with seven courtrooms and nine judges’ chambers. It also provides workspace for the U.S. Marshals, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Probation and Pretrial services, and Public Defender offices.

Construction of the $105 million building began in March 2019 and was completed in July 2021 – on time and within budget.

Speakers, including U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), U.S. Rep. William Timmons (R-SC), Greenville Mayor Knox White, and R. Bryan Harwell, chief judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, recounted Campbell’s many contributions to all of South Carolina as a Republican, including recruitment of BMW to Greer.

In October 2001, in an open letter to the people of the state, Campbell announced he had been diagnosed with the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. He died Dec. 7, 2005, and was buried in the cemetery at All Saints Episcopal Church, Pawleys Island.   

His sons, Carroll A. Campbell III and Michael Campbell, thanked well-wishers gathered inside the courthouse on East North Street and said he would be proud.

His father, Carroll said, believed in true leadership to accomplish goals and “led from the heart.”

“He was a selfless leader,” his son said. “He didn’t do it for himself. He did it for you. He did it for his constituency. He did it for his state, his country. He loved his country.”  

White said courthouse’s location is particularly profound since Campbell started his career in a nearby one-story building. And, the mayor said, the new building is a reminder of Campbell’s legacy going forward. 

Ambetter Health, Centene Corporation's (NYSE: CNC) health insurance marketplace carrier, announced today that it will expand into Alabama and extend its footprint by more than 60 counties across 12 existing states in 2023.

For the upcoming Open Enrollment Period, 13 states will offer Ambetter Health Virtual Access, including South Carolina.

The company also announced its updated brand name, Ambetter Health, reflecting its commitment to putting better health at the forefront of its mission.

In 2022, Ambetter Health served more than 2 million members across 27 states. In 2023, Ambetter Health will expand into Alabama and 60 new counties.

In total, the Marketplace plan will be available in more than 1,500 counties across 28 states.

“From day one, it has been our mission to ensure that quality, affordable healthcare is accessible to those who need it most,” said Kevin Counihan, president of Ambetter Health.

“As we approach this next year, Ambetter Health is continuing to remove barriers to healthcare through various services, including virtual care, pharmacy, dental and vision insurance.”

In addition to expanding its geographic footprint, Ambetter Health is improving healthcare accessibility through the expansion of Ambetter Health Virtual Access to nine new states, which supports access to licensed virtual primary care providers as well as access to specialists, mental health providers, and other support services.

The open enrollment period for Health Insurance Marketplace runs Nov. 1, 2022, through Jan. 15, 2023. For more information about Ambetter Health and its health coverage plans, please visit www.ambetterhealth.com.

TD SYNNEX hosted its annual charity event, Share the Magic, earlier this month with record-breaking fundraising total of $2.8 million.

About 1,200 TD SYNNEX employees, customers, vendors, sponsors, charity representatives, community leaders, students and families attended the event at the Grand Lawn at Hartness.

In Greenville, TD SYNNEX Share the Magic raises funds to benefit A Child’s Haven, Clement’s Kindness, Make-A-Wish South Carolina and Pendleton Place. This year’s celebration featured the charities and the children they serve, followed by both silent and live auctions and a “fund-a-wish.”

“We are beyond thrilled with the outcome of this year’s TD SYNNEX Share the Magic celebration,” said Peter Larocque, president of North American technology solutions at TD SYNNEX and founder of TD SYNNEX Share the Magic.

“Saturday night’s event was the culmination of a year-long effort by our dedicated planning committee, vendors, partners and sponsors, who are so passionate about the charities and what they do for the children and families in our community. We couldn’t be happier and look forward to getting started on Share the Magic 2023.”

Share the Magic’s $2.8 million raised in Greenville is a portion of the $3.65 million raised in North America in 2022 as TD SYNNEX has expanded Share the Magic to six other markets.

“We are incredibly grateful for the funds we receive from TD SYNNEX Share the Magic,” said Tanya Camunas, CEO of A Child’s Haven.

“Share the Magic provides our largest annual gift, and year after year we are astounded at the generosity of those who make it happen. These funds allow us to provide childcare-expelled children and their families with behavioral health and therapeutic childcare services for a year at no cost to families, breaking the cycles of poverty, abuse and neglect by treating the whole family.”