South Carolina Senator Greg Hembree joins host Lindsey Gray to discuss the future of education policy in the Palmetto State—from school choice and charter accountability to teacher recruitment, classroom discipline, and student achievement. As chair of the Senate Education Committee, Hembree shares how South Carolina is approaching literacy, math, technology in the classroom, and the growing role of AI in education.  

In this episode: 

What education issues are shaping policy in South Carolina right now? 

Senator Greg Hembree says South Carolina is focused on a wide range of education priorities, including school choice, charter school accountability, teacher recruitment, literacy and math achievement, classroom discipline, and the role of technology in schools. 

How is South Carolina approaching school choice? 

The state’s Education Scholarship Trust Fund expands educational options for eligible families, but lawmakers are still refining the program to ensure accountability and responsible implementation. 

What is South Carolina doing to strengthen the teacher pipeline? 

South Carolina has increased teacher pay, expanded scholarship incentives for future educators, and is exploring additional ways to recruit and retain teachers—especially in high-need subjects and rural communities. 

Where is South Carolina seeing progress in education? 

The state is showing encouraging gains in literacy performance, with lawmakers pointing to long-term reforms and sustained investment as key drivers of improvement.

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