(The Center Square) – South Carolina is one of seven Deep South states ranked top 20 in educational freedom, a report from the Heritage Foundation said Tuesday.
The annual scorecard – in existence just four years – ranks the states in five categories consistent with the nonprofit’s mission. South Carolina is No. 20, having gained a No. 10 in teacher freedom, No. 17 in return on investment, and No. 18 in transparency.
Other category rankings were No. 22 in education choice and No. 31 in civic education.
South Carolina was 16th in the initial 2022 rankings, 20th in 2023, and didn’t have a ranking in 2024 with absences of scoring in teacher freedom and civic education. This year’s scores are down two in education choice, up 10 in transparency and up two in return on investment.
Florida, Arizona and Idaho were top three, respectively, of 50 states and the District of Columbia. Dead last at No. 51 was Maine, Rhode Island was 50th and Vermont 49th.
Also from the Deep South, Louisiana was fifth, Tennessee sixth, Alabama ninth, Georgia 14th and North Carolina 15th.
Heritage bills itself as a nonprofit formulating and promoting “public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values and a strong national defense.”
