Our wondrous legislators have worked hard. As of April 16, 2025, they arrived at a new and improved amended version of S62.
What does this mean?
Will we now move forward toward complete State control of all education over the next 5-10 years? Somehow people seem to think the direction in which this state (and most other states) is moving will somehow create more “freedom of choice” for parents. Actually, State regulations increase homogeneity throughout educational settings. For decades already, the State has been gaining more and more control, through data management, financial strings, regulations that include building codes and other applicable codes, student eligibility and attendance requirements, state criteria for “schools” eligible to receive money, physical and mental health requirements for schools and students, IDEA and federal regulations, and whatever else the State will enact into law over the next few years. All schools will continue to be more and more alike than different as the government, in collusion with other change agents and organizations, tightens its regulations over a wider range of educational settings—and eventually home schools. Just wait.
Parents eligible for school choice funding create another special interest group, adding to the plethora of special interests receiving largesse from the State. The primary lure is tax-free money [SECTION 2 Section 59-8-115(G)]. However, the true costs to freedom, individual self-determination, free thinking, personal identity, personal and parental responsibility and other human losses cannot be measured or even fully imagined yet.
The size of the special interest group will continue to increase. This amended version already changed original language from “…is limited to….” to “…at least fifteen thousand…but may be increased….” (Section 6. Section 59-8-135(A)(2)
Another change for “eligible” families appears as these school choice bills are amended. [(Section 1. Section 59-8-110(4)(iii)]. Income thresholds have been raised, increasing the pool of eligible recipients. Eventually parents at any income level may expect to choose from a smorgasbord of “education” options. Problems that plague schools, especially public schools at this time, will become more prevalent in every educational setting but may be overlooked due to the trade-off of money and supposedly different “choices.” More parents may choose alternatives to public schools. It would be silly to refuse “free” money.
Significant similarity will appear in the “products” of all schools, i.e. the young people who emerge from the regulated environments in which they were indoctrinated. There will be a decrease, despite all efforts, in the broad learning and diversity of individuals who “graduate” from the coming system under increasing government regulations. Those clinging to the idea that their developmental, classical, or other alternative educational approaches will survive intact might want to consider fighting for their freedom now. Money and law have power—that grows. It will be a monumental challenge to stand against social and adult peer pressure and the financial lures and traps of “free” government funding, direct or indirect.
The State has two primary sources of income—first, federal money (with strings and regulations,, see SECTION 2 Section 59-8-115(D)(4)(f)(g) and (E) re IDEA) . At some point the State will pass along federal requirements to ALL educational settings. Second, tax dollars, that formerly would have gone to basic government responsibilities, such as roads, other infrastructure, law enforcement, etc. will now be able to be diverted to the burden (or purpose if you wish) of making sure all children become cogs in the workforce-driven goals of a new educational paradigm.
A significant rise in taxes is inevitable to cover the funding of more educational settings in order to meet the demands of those who think they are entitled to choose what they want and have others pay for it. The implications of encouraging more entitlement-based expectations by opening more opportunities for parents to relinquish responsibilities to the State will not have a good outcome for taxpayers. Most taxpayers will end up carrying the financial burden without the financial gains of those receiving the “State’s” largesse.
We apparently allow our state legislature to transfer funds to the “general fund,” in this case for the purpose of meeting financial obligations of a potentially disastrous attempt to produce equity for all in education. In the current amended bill, the administrative costs are being amended UP from a limit of 2% to 5% [Section 4. Section 59-8-125 (B)] The transparency of funding is then obfuscated by the insertion of the “Educational Scholarship Trust Fund” to be paid for administration. What is going on with the people’s money?
Using lottery funds (SECTION 14) adds another dimension to the obscurity of how the financing for this debacle will be handled. A lottery is a form of gambling. Its use as a government financial tool has been troubling to many for decades. That these funds may be used at the whim of the legislature for pet educational initiatives makes this scheme appear even less acceptable or stable to those who are aware of the minefields ahead.
It seems that State funds can be re-allocated by the legislature at their discretion. What is happening to sound fiscal management and transparency of the use of taxpayer money for the purposes most people expect? This is particularly disturbing given concurrent suggestions about the need for changing the means of choosing certain government officials, including the state treasurer, comptroller, and perhaps officials from being elected by the people to being appointed by the governor. Are we seeing the control of power being funneled into the hands of a select few?
Massive data reporting, testing and screening requirements will extend not just to monitor educational progress, but physical and mental health as well as emotional and psychological invasion of privacy. The State does very little without excessive reporting and monitoring requirements. The consequences of such government intrusion should be of great concern.
Perhaps one more reason for concern is that this new amended version adds more law [Section 9. Section 5-8-147(A) and (B)] delineating advertising by the State Department of Education of the application and facilitates access to the application and support for applicants, as well as concessions to those who might make errors on their applications so they do not lose their place in line for acceptance while they correct their errors. Why is the State so interested in promoting this program? That should be an automatic question when the State aggressively pursues compliance and enrollment in any program—and a red flag.
Do not be deceived by SECTION 10 Section 59-8-150(F). This bill represents the start of this program. Laws are continually amended and expanded, almost never moving in the opposite direction. This is a “foot in the door” for future increasing government control. The addition of the phrase, “…beyond what is set forth in this chapter….” is not immune from future changes, as the “chapter” can be amended. Government never relinquishes power it has assumed without strong opposition from the people—or an unlikely benevolent leader.
WARNING! If you were educated in public schools, or in many private schools, within the past 50 years, you have been primed to accept “school choice.” If you went to school, but see yourself as having significant concerns about where “school choice” is taking us, give thanks, for you are among the elite who escaped some of the indoctrination that was intended for everyone. You are blessed to have escaped with some free will, independent thinking, and common sense still intact. NOW USE YOUR GIFTS TO STAND UP AGAINST THIS GIANT STEP TOWARD MORE STATE TYRANNY.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not constitute legal or professional advice. ConservaTruth assumes no liability for any actions taken based on this content. Read more.
Subscribe to ConservaTruth's Email Newsletter for curated insights on South Carolina's legislative activities and conservative viewpoints, delivered straight to your inbox! With vetted and easy-to-understand information, our newsletter empowers you to become an informed and engaged citizen, actively participating in safeguarding our cherished Constitutional values. Don’t miss out on crucial updates—join our community of informed conservatives today.
Comments