The Education Improvement Act (EIA), legislated in 1984, was one of the steps South Carolina has undertaken to reform and improve its system of public education. The EIA contained provisions addressing seven major educational goals: (1) raising student performance; (2) teaching and testing basic skills; (3) elevating the teaching profession; (4) improving leadership, management, and fiscal efficiency of schools at all levels; (5) implementing quality controls and rewarding productivity; (6) creating more effective partnerships; and (7) providing school buildings. To fund the program, the state's sales tax was raised one cent on the dollar. This assessment provides information on all of the EIA provisions. Most programs were in operation statewide, although some continue to be phased in. On almost every quantifiable indicator of quality, the data reflect a marked increase since passage of the EIA. Results from opinion surveys of students, teachers, and administrators reflect an endorsement of 80% or higher of the impact of the EIA. Specific information is presented on each of the goals addressed to serve as a reference for readers desiring a comprehensive overview and to provide a basis for the recommendations presented. Educational reform plans for the next 5 years and the state's Target 2000 legislation are considered. Appendix A contains the procedures used to conduct the evaluation surveys, and Appendix B summarizes the status of program implementation. An index to the EIA provisions is provided. There are 88 graphs and 86 tables throughout the report. (SLD)