Jim Rex
Encyclopedia
Jim Rex was the 16th South Carolina
Superintendent of Education. He ran for the position in 2006 as a Democrat
, against Karen Floyd
, a Republican
. Rex defeated Floyd by only 455 votes, the closest margin of victory in a statewide election in South Carolina's history. He was sworn-in as Superintendent on January 10, 2007, replacing fellow Democrat Inez Tenenbaum
.
As Superintendent, Rex championed reforms in accountability and pushed for advances in public school choice and innovation. In addition to replacing the unpopular Palmetto Achievement Test (PACT) with the Palmetto Assessment of State Standards
(PASS), he also worked with the General Assembly to reform the state’s system of annual school report cards, eliminate burdensome paperwork for teachers, change South Carolina’s student performance targets to bring them into alignment with other states, and create a mandate to review the state’s accountability system every five years.
Shortly after taking office, Rex created the Office of Public School Choice and Innovation within the South Carolina Department of Education
, combining innovative approaches to education with technological advancement, both inside and outside the classroom, to help students learn. New and improved options include single-gender education, Montessori programs, charter schools and virtual learning. His bill for a comprehensive public school choice plan was passed by the General Assembly, but failed to become law after Governor Mark Sanford
- under pressure from supporters of vouchers and tax credits - vetoed the legislation. Despite this setback, South Carolina has become a national leader in public school choice options during Rex's tenure.
When Governor Mark Sanford
attempted to reject roughly $511 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds allotted for education in 2009, Rex led the fight to force the Governor to accept the money, working with leaders in Washington, DC and Columbia to find a way around his objection. In the end, the General Assembly supported Rex’s position on the issue and included the money in the budget, forcing a lawsuit. The issue was eventually resolved – and the jobs of as many as 5,200 teachers were saved – when the South Carolina Supreme Court
ordered the Governor to accept the funds.
Prior to becoming Superintendent, Rex was an English teacher and football coach in Ohio
, the Dean of Education at Winthrop University
, the Dean of Education at Coastal Carolina University
, President of Columbia College, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations and Vice President of University Advancement at the University of South Carolina
.
Rex received a bachelor's degree
in English, a master's degree
in education administration, and a doctorate degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Toledo
. He is married to his wife Sue and has four children with her — Adam, Jeff, Nathan, and Siri. He lives on Lake Wateree
in Fairfield County.
in 2010. On September 15, he announced his candidacy for governor.
On the campaign trail, Rex advocated for Revenue and Funding Reform in order to relieve some of the extreme cuts caused by the budget crisis that began in 2008. One of his ideas - the Tax Realignment Commission - was already in progress before the campaign began, but he expressed concern that the General Assembly might try to water down the reform in an effort to appeal to special interest groups.
Another key component of Rex's platform was his plan to raise the cigarette tax. South Carolina's tax, which was $0.07 per pack at the time Rex began to advocate an increase, was far from the national average of $1.34 per pack. Ultimately, the General Assembly compromised on the issue and raised the tax to $0.37 per pack, still $0.97 below the national average. Rex repeatedly stated that an increase to $1.34, indexed to increase with the national average in the future, would have prevented teacher furloughs and decreased teen smoking.
Rex finished second in the Democratic Primary to State Senator Vincent Sheheen, whom he endorsed for Governor in September.
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
Superintendent of Education. He ran for the position in 2006 as a Democrat
South Carolina Democratic Party
The South Carolina Democratic Party is the South Carolina affiliate of the United States Democratic Party. The Democratic party thrived during the Second Party System between 1832 and the mid-1850s and was one of the causes of the collapse of the Whig Party....
, against Karen Floyd
Karen Floyd
Karen Floyd is an American politician from the state of South Carolina. She currently serves as the chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party.-Political life:...
, a Republican
South Carolina Republican Party
The South Carolina Republican Party and the South Carolina Democratic Party are the two major political parties within the U.S. state of South Carolina...
. Rex defeated Floyd by only 455 votes, the closest margin of victory in a statewide election in South Carolina's history. He was sworn-in as Superintendent on January 10, 2007, replacing fellow Democrat Inez Tenenbaum
Inez Tenenbaum
Inez Moore Tenenbaum is an American politician from the state of South Carolina. She is currently serving as head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.-Education:...
.
As Superintendent, Rex championed reforms in accountability and pushed for advances in public school choice and innovation. In addition to replacing the unpopular Palmetto Achievement Test (PACT) with the Palmetto Assessment of State Standards
Palmetto Assessment of State Standards
The Palmetto Assessment of State Standards is a standards-aligned test designed to meet NCLB requirements. It is administered in grades 3-8 in writing, ELA, mathematics, science, and social studies....
(PASS), he also worked with the General Assembly to reform the state’s system of annual school report cards, eliminate burdensome paperwork for teachers, change South Carolina’s student performance targets to bring them into alignment with other states, and create a mandate to review the state’s accountability system every five years.
Shortly after taking office, Rex created the Office of Public School Choice and Innovation within the South Carolina Department of Education
South Carolina Department of Education
The South Carolina Department of Education is the state education agency of South Carolina. It is headquartered in Columbia. The agency is overseen by an elected Superintendent of Education, currently Mick Zais. Previous Superintendents have included Jim Rex and Inez Tenenbaum....
, combining innovative approaches to education with technological advancement, both inside and outside the classroom, to help students learn. New and improved options include single-gender education, Montessori programs, charter schools and virtual learning. His bill for a comprehensive public school choice plan was passed by the General Assembly, but failed to become law after Governor Mark Sanford
Mark Sanford
Marshall Clement "Mark" Sanford Jr. is an American politician from South Carolina, who was the 115th Governor of South Carolina from 2003 to 2011....
- under pressure from supporters of vouchers and tax credits - vetoed the legislation. Despite this setback, South Carolina has become a national leader in public school choice options during Rex's tenure.
When Governor Mark Sanford
Mark Sanford
Marshall Clement "Mark" Sanford Jr. is an American politician from South Carolina, who was the 115th Governor of South Carolina from 2003 to 2011....
attempted to reject roughly $511 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds allotted for education in 2009, Rex led the fight to force the Governor to accept the money, working with leaders in Washington, DC and Columbia to find a way around his objection. In the end, the General Assembly supported Rex’s position on the issue and included the money in the budget, forcing a lawsuit. The issue was eventually resolved – and the jobs of as many as 5,200 teachers were saved – when the South Carolina Supreme Court
South Carolina Supreme Court
The South Carolina Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The court is composed of a Chief Justice and four Associate Justices.-Selection of Justices:...
ordered the Governor to accept the funds.
Prior to becoming Superintendent, Rex was an English teacher and football coach in Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, the Dean of Education at Winthrop University
Winthrop University
Winthrop University is a public, four-year liberal arts university in Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA. In 2006-07, Winthrop University had an enrollment of 6,292 students. The University has been recognized as South Carolina's top-rated university according to evaluations conducted by the South...
, the Dean of Education at Coastal Carolina University
Coastal Carolina University
Coastal Carolina University is an independent, state-supported, liberal arts university in Conway, South Carolina, USA, located eight miles west of Myrtle Beach. Founded in 1954, Coastal became an independent university in 1993. The University enrolls approximately 8,300 students on its campus...
, President of Columbia College, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations and Vice President of University Advancement at the University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
.
Rex received a bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in English, a master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in education administration, and a doctorate degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Toledo
University of Toledo
The University of Toledo is a public university in Toledo, Ohio, United States. The Carnegie Foundation classified the university as "Doctoral/Research Extensive."-National recognition:...
. He is married to his wife Sue and has four children with her — Adam, Jeff, Nathan, and Siri. He lives on Lake Wateree
Lake Wateree
Lake Wateree is a reservoir in Kershaw, Fairfield, and Lancaster counties, South Carolina, in the United States. It is one of South Carolina's oldest man-made lakes. It has of shoreline and includes Lake Wateree State Recreation Area, a bird refuge, and Shaw Air Force Base Recreation center...
in Fairfield County.
2010 gubernatorial candidacy
On August 6, 2009, Rex announced he was exploring the possibility of either seeking reelection as State Superintendent of Education or running for Governor of South CarolinaGovernor of South Carolina
The Governor of the State of South Carolina is the head of state for the State of South Carolina. Under the South Carolina Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the South Carolina executive branch. The Governor is the ex officio...
in 2010. On September 15, he announced his candidacy for governor.
On the campaign trail, Rex advocated for Revenue and Funding Reform in order to relieve some of the extreme cuts caused by the budget crisis that began in 2008. One of his ideas - the Tax Realignment Commission - was already in progress before the campaign began, but he expressed concern that the General Assembly might try to water down the reform in an effort to appeal to special interest groups.
Another key component of Rex's platform was his plan to raise the cigarette tax. South Carolina's tax, which was $0.07 per pack at the time Rex began to advocate an increase, was far from the national average of $1.34 per pack. Ultimately, the General Assembly compromised on the issue and raised the tax to $0.37 per pack, still $0.97 below the national average. Rex repeatedly stated that an increase to $1.34, indexed to increase with the national average in the future, would have prevented teacher furloughs and decreased teen smoking.
Rex finished second in the Democratic Primary to State Senator Vincent Sheheen, whom he endorsed for Governor in September.
External links
- Jim Rex for Governor official campaign website
- South Carolina Department of Education