Berkeley County School District (BCSD) leaders are excited to announce that College Park Middle School has been selected as one of 38 schools across South Carolina to receive the Strategic Compensation Pilot Grant from the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE). The grant, which provides up to $199,800 in funding, will be used to support innovative educator compensation initiatives aimed at recognizing and rewarding outstanding teaching based on measurable student growth.
“We greatly appreciate the opportunity to partner with the South Carolina Department of Education on this initiative that will recognize and reward dedicated educators for the incredible work they do in the classroom,” said BCSD Superintendent Dr. Anthony Dixon. “This grant not only validates and rewards the hard work of teachers but also creates a pathway for excellence and growth for our students. We are excited for College Park Middle to participate in this forward-thinking program and look forward to collaborating with the South Carolina Department of Education to make a lasting impact on education in our state.”
College Park Middle School (CPM) is among the first to receive this funding, which is intended to support innovative approaches to educator compensation. The grant’s funding will be exclusively allocated to compensating highly effective teachers, recognizing their contributions to student growth and academic achievement.
“I am excited about the opportunity for our teachers to participate in this innovative pilot program,” said CPM Principal Christoper Swetckie. “The College Park Middle School faculty works hard each and every day to make sure every child reaches their full potential and demonstrates proficiency in English Language Arts and mathematics. While I know they are not in this profession for the money, I am thrilled that the state will be providing some additional compensation for their great teaching and their impact on student achievement.”
The Strategic Compensation Pilot Grant is part of a broader effort to ensure that South Carolina’s best teachers are supported, incentivized, and given the recognition they deserve. Through this initiative, teachers will be rewarded for their impact on student growth, reinforcing the idea that great teaching deserves to be celebrated and rewarded in a meaningful way. Teacher pay has traditionally been based primarily on years of service and degrees.
For more information on the South Carolina Department of Education’s Strategic Compensation Pilot Grant and the ongoing efforts to improve educator compensation, visit https://ed.sc.gov/instruction/early-learning-and-literacy/multi-tiered-system-of-supports-mtss/strategic-compensation-pilot-grant/