The saga of one of the most consequential pieces of education reform legislation in South Carolina history is chronicled in a book released by Furman University’s Riley Institute Jan. 31.
“A People’s Movement: a playbook” details how 1984’s groundbreaking Education Improvement Act was passed under the leadership of Gov. Dick Riley and thanks to the efforts of a disparate grassroots movement that overcame entrenched opposition to push through reforms that changed the trajectory of public education in the Palmetto State.
Written by Barnwell native Robert Saffold and based on interviews with 27 people deeply involved in the coalition that secured the law’s eventual passage, the book not only explores the history of the EIA but offers 25 policy initiatives that can be replicated today.
“I haven’t had time to read the book, but the people who have tell me it’s very good,” Riley said with his trademark wry humor. The two-term governor and Secretary of Education during the Clinton administration celebrated his 90th birthday in January.
Even after decades of public service, Riley remains dedicated to improving public education and continues to serve as not only The Riley’s Institute’s namesake but its “chief motivation officer.”
The institute celebrated the book launch at Furman’s Trone Student Center and included dozens of leaders and activists involved in EIA’s success. The event also featured a panel discussion of how the law was passed, its impact on education across nearly four decades, and what challenges remain.
The movement that produced the EIA was truly unprecedented, explained Terry Peterson, a Riley Institute senior fellow who served as chief education counselor to Riley both as governor and education secretary. In remarks prior to the panel discussion, he explained what education in the state was like before EIA.
“There were two sayings: ‘Poor old South Carolina can’t get off the bus,’ and ‘Thank God for Mississippi,’” Peterson said and explained that the EIA changed that.
“A People’s Movement: a playbook” will be available after Feb. 10 through the Furman University bookstore at furman.bncollege.com.
Education Improvement Act impacts
Among the reforms produced by the EIA and the increased funding included by a 1-cent sales tax increase the law included are:
- Significant gains in SAT scores, especially among African American students
- Four-year-old child-development program chosen as model by national governors association
- Enrollment in chemistry, foreign language, AP and other “gateway” courses doubled, exceeding national average
