By Bill Robinson, The State, Columbia, S.C. Jun. 6--Palmetto Achievement Challenge Tests are officially history. Legislation retiring the annual standardized testing system became law Thursday with little fanfare. The tests were first administered in 1999.

The PACT needs to be sent packing. Legislation was introduced in the General Assembly last week that would effectively do away with the Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test and replace it with another test by 2010.

The state schools chief says he plans to push another public school choice program in the Legislature next year, even though his efforts were defeated last year. "I do think this is an idea whose time has come," said State Education Superintendent Jim Rex.

By Seanna Adcox COLUMBIA - South Carolina's education superintendent pleaded with senators Wednesday to fund an expansion of the 4-year-old kindergarten program, even though legislators are facing a tight budget year.

By Aliana Ramos, The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, S.C. Jan. 16--S.C. Department of Education Superintendent Jim Rex on Tuesday presented results from statewide student surveys of single-gender classrooms that could boost his push for more school curriculum choices.