In the last post, “Do Public Educator’s Hate South Carolina’s Children,” The Spy was responding to Paul Hyde’s article (which isn’t accessible for some reason) in which he seemed to think Governor Mark Sanford hates Palmetto school children because he appointed folks who don’t necessarily believe the public school system is serving its intended purpose. The Spy cited a state report in which salary information on South Carolina’s nearly 9,000 school administrators is listed. There is more interesting data in that report that further indicates that maybe, just maybe, it’s not Mark Sanford’s agenda that is hurting public education in the state.
Sanford became governor in January 2003 - five and half years ago. Consider the tenure of the states main public school administrators.
There are 82 District Superintendents of which 64 (78%) have between 25 and 40 years of experience. Eighty one (98%) have more than 10 years of experience.
- 77 Asst Superintendents/Instruction
- 58 (75%) 25-40 years
- 100% with 10 or more
- 65 Asst Superintendents/Non-Instruction
- 36 (55%) 25-40 years
- 48 (74%) 10 or more
- “Missing data” on 17 (26/%)
- 203 Secondary Head Principals
- 96 (47%) 25-40 years
- 194 (96%) 10 or more
- 480 Secondary Asst Head Principals
- 95 (20%) 25-40 years
- 366 (76%) 10 or more
- 227 Mid/Jr High Head Principals
- 93 (41%) 25-40 years
- 216 (95%) 10 or more
- 347 Mid/Jr High Asst Head Principals
- 93 (41%) 25-40 years
- 262 (76%) 10 or more
- 635 Elementary Head Principals
- 302 (48%) 25-40
- 604 (95%) 10 or more
- 425 Elementary Asst Head Principals
- 94 (22%) 25-40
- 332 (78%) 10 or more
Of the 2,541 people in these 9 administrative positions state-wide, 38% of them (970) have 25 to 40 years of experience. Eighty-six percent have more than 10 years of experience. That’s 2,180 key school administrators with minimum tenure and/or experience TWICE that of Governor Mark Sanford.
These are the people - the front line commanders - who are and have been responsible for the performance of South Carolina’s public schools. For whatever argument might be made about legislative handcuffs or political interference, the fact remains that THESE are the people who make local school policies. So, what can be expected of THEM?
Apparently, very little.
The school system - the state education process - has failed and has failed for years. These are the people in charge.
3 responses so far ↓
Richard Eckstrom // July 22, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Garnet:
You have a very interesting writing style and you make good use of numbers and statistics.
You’ve made clear that we’re spending enormous amounts on administration. This spending reduces what would otherwise be available for the classroom.
Garnet Spy // July 22, 2008 at 9:23 pm
My thanks to the Comptroller General (and fellow Gamecock) for his comment.
“Public Education” or “Education For The Public?” « The Garnet Spy // August 4, 2008 at 8:50 pm
[...] out in my posts “Do Public Educators Hate South Carolina’s Children” and “Who’s Responsible For South Carolina’s Schools?,” a likely factor in the state’s poor education system isn’t the amount of money [...]
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