PARTNERSHIPS AND PROJECTS

• Benjamin E. Mays Academy for Leadership Development
• School Improvement Council Assistance Office
• Writing Improvement Network
• Midlands Writing Project
• Other

The Benjamin E. Mays Academy for Leadership Development is designed to help youth attain excellence in a number of scientific, literary,technological, mathematical, social,and cultural areas with a focus on leadership development.

The School Improvement Council Assistance Office provides technical assistance,training resources, and publications to all schools in South Carolina as they work to improve public education through local School Improvement Councils. The Office was created and funded through the South Carolina Education Improvement Act. Workshops are offered at the state, district, and individual school levels.

The Writing Improvement Network, a program funded by the South Carolina Legislature, offers rural schools technical assistance and staff development to improve the teaching of writing. The five regional directors and teacher consultants focus on innovative strategies to reach at risk students.

The Midlands Writing Project (MWP) unites the College of Education and local school districts in a cooperative, innovative program to improve the quality of writing at all levels of schooling and in all disciplines. Each year, 20 talented teachers are selected to receive leadership training; the MWP then supports them as they assist other teachers, offer workshops, and lead curriculum development. Since MWP's inception in 1982, teacher consultants have reached almost 3,000 Midlands classrooms.

The College of Education also sponsors an extensive range of special programs or institutes year round for the professional development of teachers and other educators. A partial list of these varied and constantly increasing contributions is shown to the left.

Direct services to schools are also provided by the College of Education.For example, faculty in educational research and educational psychology assist school districts in writing grants, evaluating programs, analyzing data for curriculum revision, and serving as University partners with schools and school districts in school restructuring grants. Faculty members also offer technical assistance, such as conducting organization studies and enrollment projections, test development, and improvement of instruction.

The College of Education clearly demonstrates its commitment to preparation of professional educators and professional educators as leaders. The College of Education's service to the community and vision for the future are vital for the educational challenges of the next century.