18-03-2025
Pee Dee schools awarded part of $5M grant aimed at boosting student growth
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Several Pee Dee area schools will be awarded part of a $5 million grant for their commitment to accelerating student growth in English language arts and math, a South Carolina Department of Education news release said.
37 schools across 29 districts in the state are receiving a portion of the Strategic Compensation Pilot Grant for the first time. Seven of the schools come from the Pee Dee area, including:
Darlington High School in Darlington County
Hartsville Middle School in Darlington County
Hannah-Pamplico Elementary School in Florence County School District Two
Hannah-Pamplico Middle School in Florence County School District Two
Johnsonville Elementary School in Florence County School District Five
Johnsonville Middle School in Florence County School District Five
Johnakin Middle School in Marion County School District (Marion 10)
The purpose of the Strategic Compensation Pilot Grant is to reward educators for student success, the release explained. These grants acknowledge the real impact teachers make, shifting the focus from years served to measurable academic growth.
118 schools applied for more than $22 million in funding, showing that 'the demand for innovative strategic teacher compensation in South Carolina is undeniable,' the release said.
While only 37 schools are receiving the award this year, the release said that these schools serve as a model for rewarding excellence and ensuring that high-performing educators stay in the classroom.
'Great teachers change lives,' Ellen Weaver, state superintendent of education said. 'Every day, South Carolina educators are proving that when we invest in teaching excellence, students thrive.'
'This initiative is about more than just pay,' she furthered. 'It's about rewarding the educators who are moving the needle on student growth in the foundational skills of reading and math. When we recognize and support the very best teaching, we set a new horizon for what's possible for students in every corner of our state.'
Teachers at participating schools can earn a one-time performance-based bonus based on student academic growth data, with three different approaches to determining awards. According to the news release, these include:
State Collaboration Model – Based on SC Ready growth data for grades 4-8.
Excellence in Teaching Model – Tied to fall-to-spring interim assessment growth for grades Kindergarten through 8th grade.
District-Designed Model – Custom compensation plans using quantitative student growth data.
The average school award exceeds $120,000, with final allocations determined by student enrollment and classroom academic growth outcomes, the release said.
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Jordan White is a Digital Producer at News13. She joined the News13 team in August 2024. Jordan, a Myrtle Beach native, graduated from St. James High School in Murrells Inlet and is a graduate of Coker University. Follow Jordan on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of her work here.
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