COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) – The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) just announced that students will soon learn more about people who helped shape their state. It’s a new addition to the public-school curriculum where your child could soon be learning more about certain influential state leaders.

“It is so important that every single student in South Carolina have an understanding of the amazing men and women, the palmetto pioneers who went before us, who have changed the world,” said SC Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver (R).

Superintendent Weaver shared a celebratory announcement for SCDE’s new Palmetto Pioneers’ Series.

“Greatness doesn’t have to come from across the world, but oftentimes greatness is right in our backyard, and it helps us to be able to appreciate the imprint that she had not just on black history, but history as a whole,” said Keishan Scott, SC Representative-Elect (District 50).

It’s part of the State’s Palmetto Civics Project and aims to highlight figures like Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune who is an educator and civil rights leader.

“She was a little girl from the middle of nowhere in Maysville, South Carolina, and through the power of a great education, she went on to change the world for millions of young people. Our vision is for every single student in South Carolina to know her story and to be inspired by her story,” said Weaver.
“Really she had a major impact on our education system and civil rights. She was a humanitarian. She was a trailblazer,” said Scott.

Weaver added that the new lessons will begin this year for students in K-12 schools. She thinks it will be a great way for students to learn more about the state’s history, especially going into America’s 250 birthday.