Majority Whip Clyburn warns against rush to judgement over how SC State used federal funds

Congressman Jim Clyburn is saying very little as state and federal investigators take their look into a SC State University facility to be named for him.

About $25 million in tax dollars are unaccounted for–half of $50 million given to the school to develop the James E. Clyburn University Transportation Center.

The facility was to conduct student academic research in transportation issues. Now the Legislative Audit Council and the U.S. Department of Transportation are trying to track the funds. Congressman Clyburn supports the investigation, called for by legislators when the center did not take shape after taking the funds.

Now Clyburn urges the media to be patient.  In a statement to SCRN he says:

  We have recently witnessed the dark side of a rush to judgment in the Shirley Sherrod case. Now we have the same sordidness being directed towards South Carolina State University. I would hope that people will allow the Legislative Audit Council and the U.S. Department of Transportation to perform their functions before reaching uninformed conclusions.

South Carolina is a finalist in the second round of  the “Race to the Top” competition for federal education grants totaling $175 million over a four-year period. Education officials expected South Carolina’s selection as a finalist. The state came in sixth place during the first round, which was won by only Delaware and Tennesee. Approximately a dozen states are expected to take home grants this time.

State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex says once again the state’s education system is viewed as being at the forefront of changes that will make schools stronger.

U.S. Department of Education officials say that out of 35 states submitting applications, South Carolina is among 19 tapped as the education systems with the boldest plans. They earned the highest scores in areas like academic standards and commitment to improving teacher effectiveness. At stake nationwide is $3.4 billion from the economic stimulus package approved by Congress last year. Rex says the exact amount of grant money on the table for South Carolina could depend on which states are chosen.

But the grant funds will not remedy severe budget shortfalls for the education agency. Rex says his department has lost $750 million over the last two years. He says the grant money must be used for very specific applications.

AUDIO: Rex on grant competition (1:13)

The finalist states include: Arizona, California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and South Carolina.

Deputy State Superintendent of Education Betsy Carpentier, who oversaw South Carolina’s 1,700-page grant application, said the biggest change the state would see, if it were to receive the grants, would be a tighter focus on the impact of individual educators on their students’ achievement.

Finalists will send teams to Washington on August 10 to make presentations. The winners will likely be announced in early September.

(from interview and press release)

Only five states scored worst than SC in terms of the overall well-being of children, according to the latest Kid’s Count report. That’s the same ranking as 2009, and is the average ranking that the state has had over the past 20 years. The latest report indicates improvements for the state in rates of infant mortality, teen birth and teens who are not in school and who are not high school graduates. The death rate for teenagers also improved.

 The state didn’t do so well in other areas, falling back on indicators relating to percentage of low birth-weight babies, children in poverty, and percentage of children living in single-parent families.

South Carolina Kids Count Project Director Baron Holmes says since 2000, the child poverty rate has increased by 16 percent to more than one in every five children(or 22 percent) in South Carolina now living below the poverty level.

AUDIO: Holmes on Kids Count data (2:16)

There was no statistical change in the child death rate.

Kids Count, funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, is a national and state-by-state effort to track the status of children. Holmes says the organization provides policymakers and citizens with benchmarks of child well-being, in an attempt to enrich discussions concerning ways to secure better futures for all children.

“Being ranked 45th continually for the past two decades causes serious concern for the next generation of children,” said Sue Williams, chief executive officer of The Children’s Trust of South Carolina. “As a state we must begin to have a concentrated focus on the well-being of our children in a holistic manner.”

Clemson University officials told its trustees they are expecting this year’s freshman class of 2,950 students to be the strongest class ever academically.

Marvin Carmichael, chief of staff for President James Barker, says:

At this point in time the students that we feel are still active in planning to come this fall have the highest SATs, the highest class rank, and show the strongest records that we’ve seen.

Carmichael says in spite of a tuition increase, the number of applications for Clemson are at an all-time high too. He says that parents should not worry about sticker shock:

We feel Clemson is affordable. And I think students and families need to look at net cost. For example, there will be no entering freshmen from South Carolina this year paying sticker price. 99 percent of them will receive a state scholarship. And then the balance will receive financial aid of some sort–that’s a given.

Clemson officials say this fall they will also see an increase in transfer students.

President James F. Barker reported that the university’s version of an economic stimulus plan for students — a need-based program– will continue this year in order to help students who have been there at least three years. Carmichael explains:

These are people who may not necessarily have retained their life scholarship but are on the track to graduate. So we are targeting lowest income students, allowing them to receive up to $2,000 if they are a senior and are graduating, assuming they have grades for graduation. So our goal is for those students who just need a slight bump to get them over the edge to graduate, we want them to go ahead and graduate and be productive citizens.

Clemson’s board also approved a $797 million budget for fiscal year 2010-2011 that shows a 17 percent decrease in administrative and support costs, reflecting the impact of state budget cuts, but also an anticipated 23 percent increase in scholarships and fellowships awarded to students.

University of South Carolina President Dr. Harris Pastides says that the new Earnest F. Hollings Special Collections Library will lovingly be called “The Fritz.”

Bipartisan fun: Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham laughed along as Hollings picked on fellow Democrats

In true Hollings style, the 88-year old senator, who helped secure $14 million of the $18 million for the construction of the library, kept the audience of over 1,100 laughing and shaking their heads at his frank remarks.

AUDIO: Hollings speech at library dedicated in his honor (17:44)

Vice President Joe Biden, who served with Sen. Hollings for 32 years in the Senate, was the keynote speaker

“I learned what not to say from Fritz Hollings,” says Majority Whip Jim Clyburn.  “I learned both,” says Vice President Joe Biden.

Biden, who is known for occasionally putting his foot in his mouth, says he was mentored by Hollings in many ways–including his rhetoric. As much a roast as a tribute, Biden and University leaders launched a few zingers at Hollings. But in a library filled with hundred of political dignitaries, the event honored the former senator and governor who led the state through desegregation, instituted the state technical education system and introduced environmental conversation into national debate.

“He is still relentless,” says Biden, who claims the senator who served for 47 years regularly calls him in Washington, D.C. to demand explanations of ”what is going on up there.”

“Damn Joe, what the hell are you folks doing?” is how Biden describes the beginning of a Fritz Hollings phone call.

AUDIO: Selection of Biden speech about Sen. Hollings (18:00)

In his speech, Biden called him,”The most significant national figure to come out of this state in the breadth and scope of what he has done.”

Hollings and Biden (L-R) kept the audience in stitches the entire ceremony

Biden says it was Sen. Hollings and his wife, Peatsy, who “changed his life” after Biden’s wife and child were killed. “She put her arms around me, literally and figuratively.” Then, when Biden met his current wife, Jill, the Hollings officially welcomed her to D.C.

When Hollings took the podium he invited Senator Lindsey Graham to join him on the stage. This gesture prompted a standing ovation. He quipped,”We integrate minorities–and majorities.”

And in a friendly jab to the Vice President, Hollings said, “Today is a big blinking deal.”

More details and a slideshow of the new library

Don Fowler, former national chairman of the Democratic Party, escorts in Congressman John Spratt at library dedication

Today at noon, Vice President Joe Biden will speak to an expected crowd of 1,200 at USC for the dedication of the new Earnest F. Hollings Special Collection Library, named after Biden’s old friend and mentor, former U.S. Senator Earnest “Fritz” Hollings.

The new library, which is connected to the current Thomas Cooper Library, houses three departments: The Irvin Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Political Collections, and Digital Collections.

South Carolina’s most notable Democrats are in attendance–a “Who’s Who” of the party that once was in power in South Carolina–including Supreme Court justices, senior legislators, former and current members of Congress, one of whom is South Carolina’s John Spratt.

Biden will attend a fundraiser for Spratt immediately after the event, as Spratt now faces a challenge from Lancaster Senator Mick Mulvaney for his seat. Spratt chairs the House Budget Committee and has been under fire from the GOP spearheading many of the Obama Administration’s fiscal tactics.

With photos by SCRN’s Joanne Lu

The newest edition to the University of South Carolina promises to draw the attention of scholars worldwide. The Ernest F. Hollings Special Collections Library will be formally dedicated Friday, July 23 at noon by Vice President Joe Biden. Former governor and U.S. Senator Hollings, now 88, is scheduled to attend the ceremonies along with U.S. House Majority Whip James Clyburn.

A large number of Hollings papers from his long and storied political career are featured in the political collections area of the library, which also features a rare books and special collections floor and a digital collections level.

While serving in the U.S. Senate, Hollings was instrumental in securing $14 million in federal funds to help finance the construction of the $18 million 50,000 square foot facility.

For descriptions, expand the slideshow by clicking the four arrows in the bottom left hand corner. Then hit “Show info” at the top right.

Political Collections Director Herb Hartsook says the papers of 11 governors and 23 members of Congress are featured in his department, along with holdings from groups and persons who have helped formulate modern political history. A number of the holdings, along with other ancient manuscripts, are being digitized and placed on the worldwide web.  He says that will no doubt entice scholars and those interested to visit the library in person.

 AUDIO: Herb Hartsook, Political Collections (3:46)

The Irvin Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, features the works of John Milton, Robert Burns, Charles Darwin, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and others. A temperature and humidity-controlled vault holds the most valuable items, including the original double-elephant folio of John James Audubon’s “The Birds of America.” Age-old manuscripts from various fields and eras are featured in the rare books collection.

Special Collections Director Dr. Patrick Scott says the rare books area was meticulously planned to create the proper environment for the books and for those who wish to study the timeless treasures.

 AUDIO: Patrick Scott, Rare Books & Special Collections (2:56)

The library is open to researchers and visitors Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Vice President Biden’s speech will not be open to the public.

(from press release/interview)

South Carolina is now the 25th state to adopt a national set of academic benchmarks that detail the math and reading skills students will learn as they move through public school grades.

The State Board of Education voted Wednesday to adopt “Common Core Standards” developed by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers.

The Common Core standards were developed over the last 12 months by teachers, parents, school administrators, civil rights leaders, education policymakers, business leaders and others from across the country. The group produced multiple drafts and collected comments from more than 10,000 people online.  State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex says this is the first time states have collaborated to determine what students should know.

AUDIO: Rex on new standards (3:20)

The initiative’s goal is to replace a hodgepodge of academic goals that vary considerably from one state to the next. More than 40 states are currently working toward Common Core approvals.

Rex says the new standards will affect different states in different ways.  He says South Carolina will have to make few changes because it’s standards are already high.

Rex says states that voluntarily adopt the Common Core may add additional standards as long as the core represents at least 85 percent of the state’s standards in English language arts and math.  The Education Department would help teachers master any instructional transitions that might be needed.

Rex says the Common Core will make learning easier for students whose families move from one state to another, and help to address the big concern that American students may not stack up to those from other countries. Rex calls that international benchmarking.

Governor Mark Sanford co-signed South Carolina’s Common Core project application with Rex.

One of the many ancient manuscripts available at USC's Hollings Library

Manuscripts and memorabilia from the distant and recent past move into the future with the opening of the Ernest F. Hollings Special Collections Library at the University of South Carolina. The library, which is adjoined to the university’s Thomas Cooper Library, features three distinct departments: political collections, rare books and special collections, and digital collections. USC Dean of Libraries, Thomas McNally says the library serves as an open window of the past for students and the public to visit and enjoy. McNally says the political collections provide a reservoir of writings and exhibits for persons doing scholarly study and for those who are simply fascinated by political history, especially the colorful political history of South Carolina.

The library will be formally dedicated on Friday, July 23. Vice President Joe Biden will be the featured speaker. A number of dignitaries and elected officials will be in attendance, including former South Carolina Governor and U.S. Senator Ernest Hollings and U.S. Congressman James Clyburn.

McNally says he already has a favorite manuscript he often visits in the special collections and rare books department. It’s an illuminated manuscript of the History of the World circa 1400, that was produced by monks in the Latin language. It’s a thousand pages long. The pages are made of vellum, produced from animal skin.

Hollings was instrumental in securing the $14 million in federal funds for the 50,000 square foot facility.  The senator gave his personal papers to the university in 1989.

AUDIO: Thomas McNally Dean of USC Libraries 2:50

Reported by SCRN’s Joanne Lu

A statewide online public charter high school has completed its first year and is now going year-round. Provost Academy, a state-funded public charter high school that is run completely online, recently graduated 52 students from its senior class. With 1,500 students enrolled the first year–after expecting only 1,000–executive director, Dr. Darrell Johnson is delighted with the school’s success.

AUDIO: Online learning is expanding (:37)

Johnson has served in South Carolina’s public schools for 11 years, including as the Associate Superintendant in Charleston and the Superintendent in Orangeburg Four.

Provost Academy is one of three online high schools in the state. Students are assigned to an academic advisor, who, together with the parents and student, develops an “individualized learning plan.” Students then take courses from both “synchronous instructors,” who have a regular scheduled online class time, and “asynchronous instructors,” who are available from 8 am to 8 pm in an online forum setting. Clubs and regional activities are also organized so that parents, students, teachers, and advisors can have face time with each other.

AUDIO: Students are “technology savvy” (:14)

There are many benefits to the online format, according to Johnson, so much so that he believes “all good school districts should be offering online learning in their districts now.” Students study at their own pace and at whatever time best suits their needs. Johnson says South Carolina should especially look into expanding online learning because of the state’s high drop out rate. Students from rural areas will also have access to classes their local schools cannot afford to offer.

AUDIO: Benefits of online learning (:34)

The new year-round format will allow even more flexibility in scheduling, as students must complete the required sessions, but not necessarily before the summer.

Johnson also says that because Provost is personalized, students are more dedicated to their studies.

AUDIO: Personalized education (:21)

Being a public charter school, the academy is state funded and regulated. However, according to Johnson, the funding only includes the base student cost and a small stipend–no tax dollars. This leaves Provost Academy’s budget very tight, especially when state-mandated testing and required face time activities need to be organized.

AUDIO: “Dollars and cents” (:20)

Some other challenges for the school include partnering with local public schools for extracurricular activities and quantifying the equivalent of the required 180 days of school, especially with the new year-round format.

However, self-discipline isn’t much of a concern for Johnson. Self-discipline, he says, comes with practice. “It’s not for everyone, but everyone can take advantage of it.” Most importantly, Johnson believes the quality of education lies with parents and students being able to choose their education.

AUDIO: Focus on students (:31)

AUDIO: Parents and kids choose their schools (:12)

SCRN’S Ashley Byrd interviewed Provost Academy’s executive director, Dr. Darrell Johnson.

More than $21 million is reportedly missing from South Carolina State University’s James E. Clyburn University Transportation Center. Charleston Senator Robert Ford filed an audit request to investigate why the center sits vacant, why no transportation research is under way and how the center lost its federal designation.

Five other members of the General Assembly followed Ford and signed the request for the South Carolina Legislative Audit Council to start the audit. Legislative Audit Council Director Thomas Bardin says they will present the case to a governing board.

We have a governing board who are, by public members, appointed by the General Assembly, who will take up the audit request and either approve, delay it, or deny it. That audit meeting will be the 21st of this month.

The millions of federal dollars unaccounted for comes from transportation-related programs at the university. Bardin says they aim to find out why.

We want to look and have a full accounting for federal and state money that’s going towards the center. How the money has been used. Has it been used to be put into the general operations of the school? Have there been contracts met that money has been paid but no works been done?

But, Bardin says they do try to remain objective in these kinds of investigations.

We generally do what the request asks us to do, what the General Assembly asks us to do. Sometimes we find there are other issues they may want us to look at while we are in there. We don’t really have any expectations of what we’ll find or not find. We are objective, we operate under the standards under the general accountability office out of Washington. So, we are kind of a mini-federal model.

An Audit Council investigation only requires five signatures before it moves on to a full performance audit. The governing board will look into the audit on the tentatively scheduled July 21 meeting.

According to recent reports, House Majority Whip James Clyburn, whom the center is named after, supports the audit council investigation, but would not comment.