A Legacy of LeadershipThe History of the South Carolina Education Association

The Beginnings of Public Education in SC

• Act of 1712• Free School Act of 1811• Dependence upon churches

and private schools or tutors

Why did public schools in SC not get off the ground until much later than the rest of the nation?

The Governor’s Called Meeting

• Called by Governor Whitemarch B.

Seabrook.

• Held July 12, 1850.

• Topics for discussion: FREE SCHOOLS,

books used in the schools, and the “best

mode of insuring the progress of

education and other kindred matters.”

• Dr. Thomas Curtis issued a report stating

that “if education cannot be claimed by

the ignorant as a right, it may be

demanded for them, from the State, as a

duty.”

The Teachers’ Convention of 1850

• Merged into the first State Teachers’ Association of SC.

• Dr. Thomas Curtis was elected president.

• Poorly attended (only 41persons), but the Hall of the SC House of Representatives was cleared for use by the attendees.

• Curtis’ speech demonstrates concern that SC cannot produce enough literate men to improve the state’s miseries.

• The first SC State Teachers’ Association existed only in1850-51.

National Education Association• NEA was organized in 1857 in

Philadelphia as “The National Teachers’ Association.”

• J.D. Giddings from Charleston is one of the original signers of the NEA constitution. Yet, SC did not have an active association at the time.

The Educational Institute of SC• Established May, 1870.• Dr. H. S. Thompson, president• A small number of men (19) of

secondary schools or academies or colleges comprised the membership.

• A constitution was drafted but the organization was not strong and “a second beautiful daughter of hope” was lost.

• Topics included School Management, Curriculum (modern vs. classical languages).

Some Bright Spots

• Spartanburg Co. Teachers’ Convention was held in 1870 and continues to this day making it the oldest county association.

• A SC Superintendent for Education post was created in 1870 with Justus K. Jillson the first superintendent.

Some Bright Spots cont.

• He was succeeded by Hugh S. Thompson in 1877 who had so diligently spear-headed the Educational Institutes. Thompson later became governor.

• State Teachers’ Association of SC organized in 1881 – 125 teachers in Greenville meeting.

Teachers Lead into SC State Teachers Association

• Organized in 1881.• Part of the first State Normal

Institute held at Wofford College and managed by the SCDE.

• Eight institutes were held between 1880 and 1890. Started again in 1909.

• Summer schools for teachers started springing up at Winthrop and USC.

Early Days (1890-1919) State Teachers’ Association of SC Concerns

• How to make ourselves better teachers;

• How to teach particular subjects;• How to organize the work;• How to bring the public to

support the schools; • How to make the children into

the best citizens.

Important Events of Early Years• 1891 – SCTA Departments

established.• 1895 – President W.K. Tate

urged the Association to “go into politics” to improve schools.

• 1896 – Plessy vs. Ferguson• 1907 – High Schools

established.• 1917 – Smith-Hughes Act• 1919 – SC Compulsory

Attendance Law passed. SC was the last state to pass this type of law.

Early Successes• Organization of county teacher

associations.• Gained identity as an organization.• Established “departments” for

Elementary Education, Higher Education, Supervision, etc.

• Revised the constitution.• Growth in membership.• Professional development.• Pushed for compulsory attendance

law, improved school funding and women’s right to vote.

Departments Established to Nurture Curriculum and Supervision Development• 1910 – School Improvement Association,

Association of City and Town Superintendents, Association of County Superintendents, Association of Elementary School Teachers.

• 1913 – Dept. of Language. • 1916 – Dept. of Home Economics • 1917 – Dept. of Colleges and Secondary

Schools, Dept. of Rural Teachers, Dept. of Primary Teachers, Dept. of Grammar Grade Teachers, Dept. of Teachers of English, Dept. of Public School Principals, Dept. of Teachers of Pedagogy, Dept. of Kindergarten Teachers, Dept. of School Peace League

Departments Established to Nurture Curriculum and Supervision Development• 1919 – Dept. of Science and

Mathematics, Dept. of Attendance Officer, Dept. of History Teachers.

• 1920 – Dept. of Vocational Education • 1922 – Dept. of Teachers of Education,

Dept. of Teachers of Adults• 1923 – Dept. of Public School Music,

Dept. of Commercial Teachers (Becomes Commerce and later Business Education).

Departments Established to Nurture Curriculum and Supervision Development• 1924 – Dept. of Special Classes, Dept. of

Citizenship• 1925 – Dept. of Manual Arts• 1926 – Dept. of Art and Math and Science

become separate. • 1927 – Dept. of Secondary Principals and

Dept. of Elementary Principals• 1929 – Dept. of Vocational Guidance, Dept. of

Physical Education (Health added in 1931) • 1932 – Dept. of School Libraries• Over 26 departments for content and

pedagogy were established.

Significant Events of 20s and 30s • 1920 – There were 46 4-year high

schools. More students in SC graduated college than high school and in 1920 – 6-0-1 Law.

• 1921 – NEA/American Legion promote “Education Week.” FTAs organized and supported by NEA/SCTA.

• 1923 – SDE recommends to the School Boards that teachers be allowed to attend the SCTA meetings with full-pay for each day in attendance.

• 1924 – SC Association of Teachers becomes SC Teachers’ Association.

Significant Events of 20s and 30s • 1928 – SC Agricultural Depression• 1929 – NY Stock Market Crash and

dedication of the SCEA Building at 1218 Senate Street.

• 1932 – John Dewey addressed the convention.

• 1933 – Name of association changes to SCEA.

Significant Events of 20s and 30s • 1935 Bankhead-Jones Act (PL 74-

182), Agricultural Adjustment Act (PL 74-320), The National School Lunch Act of 1946/ School Milk Program Act (PL83-597)

• 1936 – Laura Zirbes addressed the conference.

• 1937 – SC Regular Attendance Act. • Late 1930s – preparation for WWII.

1940s• 1940 – Code of Ethics published. A.C.

Flora elected NEA Director. US enters WWII.

• 1944 – Adoption of the 12 year school plan.

• 1945 – SC Retirement System started. Teacher Recertification plan unveiled. US exits WWII.

• 1946 – Conference topics centered on improving member benefits by instituting sick leave, insurance, and credit unions; promoting ethics; and promoting quality recertification processes.

1940s• 1948 – First named affiliate

associations appear – SC Association of School Administrators and SC Association of Health, PE, and Recreation.

• Post 1947 – Cold War and Threat of Communism are the main focus of the nation. Citizenship classes are stressed.

1950s• 1950 – SC Athletic Coaches Association.

Focus on school facilities upgrades.• 1951 – SC Drivers Trainers Association.

Retired Teachers hold organizational meeting. Successful in getting the 3-Pt Plan passed for construction. Active with development of school transportation system. Active in fight to establish retirement plans. Active in improving teacher certification rate.

• 1952 – Consolidation of county school districts from 1221 to 104 in two years. Sick Leave plan proposed by SCTA.

1950s• 1953 – Revised Code of Ethics. • 1954 – Brown vs. Board of Education• 1956 – SCEA, SC Federation of

Women's Clubs, AAUW, PTA promote SC Teacher of the Year Program. Miss Maud Bingham of Chester is the first Teacher of the Year.

• 1957 – Sputnik. SCETV implemented. SCEA advocates 12 year plan for public schools.

• 1958 – Congress passes National Defense Education Act to strengthen math, science, foreign languages, testing, vocational services. NEA releases report on Juvenile Delinquency Project.

1960s• 1960 – Sick Leave Plan is endorsed.

Interest in Gifted Children is demonstrated.

• 1962 – Sen. Hubert Humphrey introduces “National School Lunch Week.”

• Vocational Technical Education Act of 1963 (Carl Perkins) School to Work Legislation

• 1964 – Civil Rights Act of 1964. NEA urges merger with Black Education Organizations. Plans developed in SC.

• 1965 – Elementary and Secondary Education Act (PL 89-10). Dedication of the SCEA Building on Zimalcrest Drive.

• 1967 – Merger of PEA and SCEA.

1970s and 1980s• 1970 – SCASCD and a plethora of

content organizations formed from the SCEA departments.

• 1973 – Mrs. Agnes Wilson is the first black educator to serve as president of the merged organization.

• 1975 – 26 departments and affilliates are part of SCEA. Federal Education for All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142)

• 1977 – Defined Minimum Program unveiled. SC Education Finance Act passed. SC High School Exit Exams created.

1970s and 1980s• 1980 – Only 2 departments left in the

Association. All others have merged with national affiliates. Defined Minimum Program ratified.

• 1983 – A Nation at Risk report released. Teacher Induction Evaluations (APT) tied to teacher certification.

• 1984 – SC Education Improvement Act passed. Teacher Incentive Grants, Gifted Education strengthened. Longer school year, additional professional development days.

• 1985 – First SC Curriculum Frameworks developed.

• 1989 – Target 2000 Act

1990 – Issues • Teacher Certification and Evaluation• Teacher Salaries• Curriculum Standards and Professional

Development Programs• Special Education• Assessment and Testing Programs• School Building Funding• Vouchers and School Choice

Federal and State Responses• Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

(PL 101-336)• SC Early Childhood Development and

Academic Assistance Act of 1993 (Act 135)

• Goals 2000: Educate America Act (PL 103-227) (1994)

• SC Public Charter School Act (1996)• Education Accountability Act (1998)• No Child Left Behind (2001)• Economic Education Development Act

(2005)• ACT 388 (2006)

What Did We Do?• Provided the infrastructure for

improvements in teaching and student achievement.

• Provided the leadership to implement desegregation policies and improvements for all SC students.

• Provided the nurturance of professional development organizations for all levels and all areas of content.

• Provided a voice for SC teachers to stand united against inequities in education and for the right of all students to a quality education.