The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) has launched a new initiative aimed at significantly improving math skills across the state. The Palmetto Math Project has a goal of ensuring that at least 75% of students are at or above grade level in math by the year 2030.
To achieve this goal, all public schools in South Carolina will receive free, five-year access to Zearn Math, a widely recognized digital learning platform. This platform, designed to align with the state’s academic standards, provides more than 1,000 interactive lessons for students from kindergarten through eighth grade.
The program is a flexible tool for educators, supporting core instruction, one-on-one tutoring, and summer learning. It also provides real-time feedback, helping students stay engaged with grade-level material. Zearn is also available at no cost to families, allowing students to continue their learning at home.
The platform has a strong track record, having received a “Strong” (Tier 1) rating from Evidence for ESSA, the highest possible designation. A large-scale study by the RAND Corporation found that Zearn Math helped students, particularly those who were below proficiency, make significant academic gains.
This statewide rollout of Zearn Math reflects the SCDE’s commitment to closing learning gaps and providing educators with effective tools to help every student succeed. The initiative is a major investment in the future of South Carolina’s education system.
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