b"STRUGGLES: CENSORSHIPtogetpassedforyearsandweareexcitedtoseeit The Transparency in Education Act (H.3728) passedimplemented.outoftheHouseandthenextstepisthedebate on the Senate Floor.This bill is part of a nationalWINS:READTOSUCCEEDCLASSES agenda to inject politically-motivated censorship intoELIMINATED theclassroom.ItdoesnothingtohelptheteacherTeachers will no longer be required to take Read to shortage and could potentially cause more educatorsSucceed Classes as part of their certification process.to leave the profession. PENDING WINS: PAY RAISESTRUGGLES: BOOK BANNINGTheHousebudgetapprovedraisingtheminimum We have seen a dramatic increase in attempted booksalary schedule from 40,000 to 42,500, which would bans across ourmeana$2,500increase state.This is alsofordistrictsthatpayon part of the nationaltheminimumscale.This movement to bandoesnotguaranteea books about orraise in all districtsonly authored by thetheonesthatpayonthe LGBTQ communityminimum salary schedule. and/or people ofDistrictsthatpayabove color that goestheminimumwould hand-in-hand withhave to vote on providing censorship measuresraisesseparately.Atthe such as H.3728.timeofpublication, theSenatehadnotyetIf you are interestedfinalizedthebudget;so, in learning morewhilethisseemslikely, about book bansthereisstillachanceit in South Carolina,doesnotendupinthe check out thefinal budget. Freedom to Read Coalitions social media:WINS: PARENTAL LEAVE https://www.facebook.com/free2readSC/.Late in the session, a bill (H.3908) was introduced to giveeducatorspaidparentalleave.Stateemployees STRUGGLES: TRANSGENDERwereawardedthislastyear,buteducatorswerenot STUDENTS included in that bill. We believe this will help recruit In addition to vouchers and censorship, the legislatureand retain educators.has singled out transgender students and threatened the confidentiality of the teacher-student relationship.Asthe2023sessioncomestoaclose,wewill As currently written, this bill (S.627) would requirecontinuetomonitorbillsthatimpacteducationin school employees to report suspicion of transgenderSouth Carolina. This is year one of a two-year cycle dysmorphia to a childs parent, even if doing so putsandthereisasmallbutvocalgroupofindividuals the student at risk. trying to divide us by attacking public education. It willtakeallofusworkingtogetherandusingour Whilethestrugglesandchallengeshavebeencollective power to do what is best for our children. numerous, there have still been some wins. SouthCarolinastudentsdeservethebesteducation possiblethat's why we owe it to them to speak up, WINS: UNENCUMBERED TIME show up and vote for candidates that support public This passed last year and will be implemented by theeducation.beginning of the 2023-24 school year.Elementaryteachersmustbegiven30minutesofElections have consequences!!unencumberedorduty-freetimeduringtheschool day.ThisissomethingTheSCEAhasbeentryingFor more information visit The SCEA at www.thescea.orgIMARA9"