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Greenville Business Magazine

Five schools and one district join TransformSC’s network

Oct 17, 2017 02:06PM ● By Kathleen Maris
TransformSC, an initiative of the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness, has accepted five new schools and one new district to its statewide network of innovative schools: Brunson Dargan Elementary (Darlington), Batesburg-Leesville Elementary School (Lexington Three), Batesburg-Leesville Primary School (Lexington Three), Carolina High School (Greenville), Wando High School (Charleston), and the School District of Pickens County.

“Seeing schools continuously interested in transforming education in South Carolina shows that there’s a real dedication to preparing students for life after graduation,” said Mike Brenan, co-chair of TransformSC and state president of BB&T. “Changing the way our students learn sets them on a path toward success, which will benefit not only individual citizens, but all of South Carolina.”

TransformSC schools receive a variety of supports and opportunities through participation in the network, including access to national experts, mentorship opportunities with other innovative schools, and assistance with the implementation of plans.

“Changing the way classrooms operate and incorporating innovative methods into practice can be hard,” said Tim Arnold, executive committee member for TransformSC and president and CEO of Colonial Life. “By bringing development opportunities and the means to learn from those who have done the work successfully or those who are in the middle of it as well, TransformSC offers a unique opportunity for educators in South Carolina to make these transformations with solid support.”

To be accepted into the TransformSC network, the schools submitted a three-year innovation plan that is evaluated and approved by TransformSC’s Action Team Chairs and staff. Schools in the network commit to creating a culture of innovation and implementing a combination of innovative practices. The network’s goal is to transform learning and teaching for every student and every teacher in every classroom every day.

“Support and leadership are key to widespread improvement in student learning and innovative thinking,” said Pamela Lackey, state president of AT&T and co-chair of TransformSC. “TransformSC offers not only our support and learning opportunities for leadership, but a community and network of support from other educators, community leaders, and the business community to help make these meaningful changes.”

Schools at all levels and stages of development are encouraged to apply for acceptance to the
TransformSC network by contacting [email protected].

About TransformSC
TransformSC, an education initiative of the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness, is a collaboration of business leaders, educators, students, parents, and policy makers transforming the public education system so that every student graduates prepared for careers, college and citizenship. TransformSC schools and districts are designing, launching, promoting, and proving transformative practices in the classroom. Currently there are 63 schools from 25 districts, as well as five entire districts, in the TransformSC network. For more information, visit www.sccompetes.org/transformsc.