S.C. public Montessori programs can bridge achievement gap

In the 34 years since the passage of former Governor Dick Riley’s Education Improvement Act, the Palmetto State has witnessed big strides in public education. But challenges remain, say Furman University’s Brooke Culclasure and David Fleming, who write an opinion piece for The Post and Courier. Among the hurdles are a growing teacher shortage and a widening achievement gap along racial and economic lines. The authors point to a recent study of South Carolina’s public Montessori programs, and how the Montessori method is helping to moderate problems plaguing South Carolina schools.

Brooke Culclasure is research director for the Center for Education Policy and Leadership at Furman’s Riley Institute. David Fleming is associate professor of politics and international affairs at Furman. They can be reached at brooke.culclasure@furman.edu and david.fleming@furman.edu.