Scholarships may deter students from tough classes

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Educators worry that lottery-backed scholarships tied to grades are deterring South Carolina’s top students from taking advanced courses in their senior year of high school.

The director of the Education Oversight Committee says students are telling guidance counselors they don’t want to jeopardize their chance of getting a scholarship by taking a tough course that could bring a low grade. Melanie Barton says it appears to particularly be a concern for students expecting to receive Palmetto Fellow scholarships, awarded to classes’ top graduates.

Barton says the reluctance seems to stem from parents’ worries about affording tuition amid the economic downturn.

The state budget may task her agency with looking for solutions if this happening. Gov. Nikki Haley included that direction in her budget proposal.