COLUMBIA, S.C. — A statewide education law that guarantees teachers two days free of meetings before the school year still is not reaching every classroom, according to a new survey from the Palmetto State Teachers Association.
Nearly 1 in 5 teachers surveyed said they did not receive those planning days this year. The requirement is part of the Educator Assistance Act, which both chambers of the General Assembly passed unanimously last year to help keep qualified teachers in classrooms.
Under the law, schools must also give teachers an estimated salary before renewing contracts, provide notice before moving teachers to a different school or subject, and count professional development meetings toward required training credits. Districts may split the two days into half days.
State Department of Education spokeswoman Christy Cox said the agency has received only one official complaint and is not aware of widespread compliance issues. When complaints arrive, the department first notifies the district and offers help to resolve them.
Teachers advocates say the bigger problem is planning days that appear on the calendar but get filled with meetings. Senate Education Chairman Greg Hembree said lawmakers may need to consider a penalty because there is no financial consequence today for skipping the unencumbered planning time.
Gov. Henry McMaster signed the measure May 7, 2025, and it took effect July 1, just weeks before that school year began. Survey responses came from teachers across the state and grade levels, not a single district hotspot.
