South Carolina’s education system has consistently ranked in the bottom ten nationally for the past decade. Most recently, the U.S. World and News Report ranked us 43rd in the nation in 2023. For a state rich in culture, community and history, this should be a red flag for those who call the Palmetto State home. Whether you are a parent, student, lawmaker, business owner or taxpayer, this low ranking isn’t just a statistic — it’s also a warning.

Our state performing this low is a scary sight. Amid the chatter of standardized testing and teacher shortages, we forget that our education system is producing our future voters, workforce and community leaders. If we aren’t investing in our children, what kind of future are we setting ourselves up for?

The problem isn’t new, but it is persistent. South Carolina has long struggled with underfunded schools, teacher retention and inequitable access to resources, especially in rural and high-poverty areas. South Carolina’s I-95 corridor was even nicknamed “The Corridor of Shame” in reference to the rural, underfunded school districts along the stretch of highway. In some counties within this area, over a quarter of the population lives in poverty, and only 8% of residents have sought out higher education, according to the Census report.

Students in wealthier districts are bolstered by local funding and parental support and involvement, but in underfunded schools, students are left behind beginning as early as kindergarten.

The ripple effects are everywhere. Underfunded classrooms lead to lower engagement, which causes higher dropout rates that push students out of the classroom and into the juvenile and criminal justice system. According to the ACLU, our most at-risk students are falling victim to the school-to-prison pipeline at an alarming rate.

In the 2024-25 school year, South Carolina school districts spent an average of $18,842 per student, according to the South Carolina Department of Education. New Jersey, according to the U.S. World and News Report, is the No. 1 state in the nation for education. In a memo to taxpayers, the New Jersey Department of Education reported that it would be spending $28,817 per student in the 2024-25 school year. What will it take for our state representatives to see the value in investing in our children at the same level?

A ranking of 43rd is not an isolated failure. It is a reflection of years of political negligence, underinvestment and misplaced priorities. Education reform has become a stale talking point rather than a call to action. Instead of bold, systemwide change, we get half measures, pilot programs and policies that treat symptoms without addressing the root causes.

This is not just a public school issue — it’s a statewide South Carolina problem. This ranking affects our economy, healthcare, justice system and more. If you are not alarmed by that number 43, you simply aren’t paying attention.

The good news? It’s fixable, but only if we, the people, demand better. This means showing up on election days to vote for leaders who value the future of our state, and prioritizing education, supporting teachers and investing equitably in all schools. It means reframing education not just as another line on the budget sheet, but the foundation for everything else.

Forty-third should scare you. Speak up, show up and demand the investment our students deserve.

Chloe McCoy is a senior English major from Starr, South Carolina. Chloe can be reached at [email protected]