Innovators are transforming S.C. schools

Former South Carolina Governor Richard Riley praises the state for its progress in public education. From New Tech schools along the I-95 corridor to self-paced learning and other innovations, Riley enumerates the wealth of programs which have contributed to steadily increasing graduation rates in South Carolina. In an opinion piece he wrote for The State, Riley says great strides have been made, but “There’s still much work to do. One particularly compelling need is to close the achievement gap between children from lower-income homes and middle-class homes.”

Riley uses the progress in the state to draw attention to organizations that are dedicated to improving school outcomes. The Riley Institute, in conjunction with S.C. Future Minds, will recognize just a few of these programs and people at the 7th annual Dick and Tunky Riley WhatWorksSC Award for Excellence luncheon, which takes place Oct. 24.

Riley says all the finalists — Innovate! at A.J. Whittenberg, Camp iRock and Make Summer Count — illustrate the “improvement that can result when families, schools and community partners work together.”

Riley served two terms as S.C. governor and was U.S. education superintendent under President Bill Clinton; the Riley Institute at Furman University is named in his honor.