Four things that Gov. Henry McMaster, James Smith say they will do to fix SC schools | The State

When South Carolinians decide Nov. 6 whether Republican Henry McMaster or Democrat James Smith will take the Governor’s Mansion, education issues will weigh heavily on the outcome. Here are four things that Gov. McMaster, a Republican, and state Rep. Smith, a Democrat, say they would do to fix the state’s schools and keep teachers in the classroom.

Henry McMaster

• Increase teacher pay

• Promote less school testing

• Support school choice

• Request more money in the state budget to put a certified, armed law enforcement officer in every school

James Smith

• Increase teacher pay

• Promote less school testing

• Expand the First Steps for Child Readiness preschool program

• Promote project-based learning and looping, where teachers follow their students, moving up from grade to grade