The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964. Since that time, the program has honored more than 8,000 high school seniors on the basis of outstanding scholarship. For most of the program’s existence, nominees have been recognized based upon SAT or ACT scores, but as the program evolved, candidates have been recognized in other ways. Since 2013, Chief State School Officers have been invited to nominate candidates from their states for the Academic/General Component category, and in 2016, outstanding students who demonstrated excellence in Career and Technical Education (CTE) were included for recognition.

Should you have any questions regarding the US Presidential Scholars program, you may contact dphillips@ed.sc.gov.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SC DHHS) is seeking updated information regarding the mental health services available within your schools.

Should you have any questions regarding the survey, please contact SC DHHS’ Behavioral Health Team at behavioralhealth004@scdhhs.gov.

South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of the Army to provide directory information in compliance with Section 8025 of Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) has fielded multiple recent inquiries about the employment, certification, and evaluation of Purchased-Service teachers and other contractors. Although the SCDE recognizes the need in many districts to employ contractors to address staffing needs, the employment of contractors does not release school districts from their responsibilities to ensure student safety and educator quality. This memorandum provides clarification of South Carolina requirements for school districts in the employment, certification, evaluation, and vetting of Purchased-Service Teachers.

Contact Mary Hipp, mhipp@ed.sc.gov, with certification questions.

Contact Lilla Toal Mandsager, lmandsager@ed.sc.gov, with evaluation questions.

Constitution Day (September 17) is almost here. Yet, sadly, Americans’ appreciation for our constitutional republic – the values and vision which should unite us – is in serious decline, as is basic knowledge of how our system works. For example, a recent study by the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Center found that less than half of the adults surveyed could name the three branches of government. That’s right -- less than half.

Please see the attached updated Frequently Asked Questions regarding H. 3908, Paid Parental
Leave for Educators. Included are the Department’s updated eligibility guidelines for PPL and
the addition of a question regarding stipend pay during PPL.

For any additional questions please contact Phillip Cease at phcease@ed.sc.gov or (803) 734-
0183.

The Personalized Learning Team has partnered with the University of South Carolina’s CarolinaCrED to offer micro-credentials for SC educators. Sign up for an information session on September 25, 2023 from 4:00pm-5:00pm. Teachers who are interested in micro-credentials can sign up independently, or districts and schools can send representatives to receive information.

Contact Sarah Gams, ssgams@ed.sc.gov, or Sarah Bowie, smbowie@ed.sc.gov, with questions.

Office of Assessment and Standards will offer a free, one-day professional learning opportunity (PLO) for up to three ELA instructional leaders and one special populations leader from each district in South Carolina. Each district should consider sending one representative each from elementary school, middle school, and high school, and one representative from special populations such as multi-lingual learners, students with disabilities, or gifted and talented students.

For additional information, please contact Rebecca Rundlett at rrundlett@ed.sc.gov.