Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

Tuesday, March 05, 2013  The federal Education Department has approved Superintendent Mick Zais' plan for evaluating teachers and principals in South Carolina.

Monday, December 10, 2012  Superintendent Mick Zais is presenting his plan for evaluating teachers and principals.

Thursday, August 02, 2012  South Carolina education officials say nearly three out of every four public schools in the state got either an A or B in new letter-grade assessments.

Thursday, July 19, 2012  State schools Superintendent Mick Zais says a waiver from key provisions of the No Child Left Behind law provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform education in South Carolina.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012  Council finds a growing number of states move to weaken teacher tenure

Wednesday, January 11, 2012  South Carolina schools chief Mick Zais is set to present his budget request to a House panel Wednesday.

Monday, January 09, 2012  Increasing the time students spend reading and writing, expanding classroom libraries, and requiring more teacher training are among ideas a state panel is considering for boosting the reading skills of South Carolina students.

Monday, January 09, 2012  South Carolina schools Superintendent Mick Zais is talking at a Columbia school about his proposal for opting out of No Child Left Behind.

Thursday, December 15, 2011  Report: half of US public schools fail to meet federal standards under No Child Left Behind

Monday, October 10, 2011  The state Education Department had planned to request the break from the federal law in November. Agency spokesman Jay Ragley said Monday that will give the agency more time to gather data and see how other states file their requests.

Monday, September 26, 2011  State Education Department spokesman Jay Ragley said Monday that Superintendent Mick Zais' application for an alternative way to evaluate student and school performance will be based on the state system that predates the 2001 federal law.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011  South Carolina Superintendent of Education Mick Zais says he'll ask the US Department of Education for a waiver on certain No Child Left Behind requirements.

Friday, July 29, 2011  The percentage of South Carolina elementary and middle schools meeting federal education goals took a nosedive this year despite improving test scores.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011  National test shows fewer than half of 4th, 8th, 12th grade students proficient in science.

Thursday, October 14, 2010  The Democratic candidate in the race for South Carolina's 2nd Congressional District emphasized the downsizing of national education bureaucracy and says he'll push for stronger local government if elected.