Public Charter Schools Must Provide Transportation

Transportation is not a side issue in education; it is a primary requirement.

If students desiring to attend a public charter school have no means of transportation, it's closed to the poor. 

South Carolina needs to address this serious inequity in funding of public charter schools. The position taken by the Palmetto Promise Institute is the only equitable solution:

"Without access to transportation, “public school choice” is not really a choice for many families.There are currently only a handful of public charter schools that are providing transportation, which creates a barrier to access."

"Average transportation costs range from $650 to $1100 per student at these schools, For public charter schools that do provide transportation, those costs come directly out of the classroom education dollars."

"South Carolina should work to provide transportation to all public schools and programs, including charters, magnets, dual enrollment, career and technology centers and open enrollment options."