Charleston Metro Chamber Hosts Update on State of Public Schools
February 25, 2015
CHARLESTON, SC – The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce hosted a crowd of more than 250 of our region’s principals and business leaders this morning, February 25, during State of the Region: Schools.
The area’s superintendents, including, Michael Bobby, Charleston County School District; Dr. Rodney Thompson, Berkeley County School District; and Joseph Pye, Dorchester School District 2, participated in a panel discussion providing an update of the state of public education in our region.
“Our region’s superintendents lead more than 150 school facilities, 100,000+ children, more than 12,000 facility and staff and collectively manage budgets totaling over a billion dollars,” stated Mary Graham, Chief Advancement Officer for the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. “And last year, for the first time ever, all three of these school districts received an ‘Excellent’ rating from the State Report Card.”
The region’s public schools are performing better than ever, however, they still face many challenges and continue to strive for even greater success. “Graduation rates are at 80 percent, but what about the other 20 percent,” said Bobby. “The achievement gaps are real and until we eliminate that, I don’t feel like we have achieved full excellence.”
A common theme among the three superintendents was the need for collaboration with the business community. “We need our business community to sign up for Principal for a Day or to be a Career Academy Partner,” stated Thompson. “We want you to become part of the solution as we move our children forward.”
The event served as the first session of the Chamber’s Principal for a Day program, which places business leaders into our schools, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of the education system. The business leaders will then host the principals at their business. Principal for a Day is part of the Chamber’s talent initiative which is helping to build our region’s future workforce. The initiative also includes Career Academies, which are career-themed schools within high schools that create a learning environment that reflects the atmosphere and expectations of the 21st century workplace. Each district currently operates Career Academies and has placed an emphasis on producing career and college ready students.
“We have focused on transforming our high schools and ensuring that our students are career and college ready,” said Pye. “Last year, each student was given WorkKeys skills assessment and next year we are adjusting the high school schedule to a later start in an effort to increase performance.”
All superintendents also mentioned the importance of early development education, an initiative being taken on by Tri-County Cradle to Career. Anita Zucker, CEO and chairperson of The InterTech Group and Chair of the Cradle to Career board, announced during the event that the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce has been selected at the convening organization in the region for high school graduation rates. “The Chamber has been involved in talent for many years,” said Zucker. “The Chamber was a natural fit to serve in this role.”
To learn more about the Chamber’s talent initiatives, please contact Mary Graham.
About the Charleston Metro Chamber: With more than 1,600 member organizations representing 125,000 professionals, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce serves as the collective voice of the business community and a catalyst for advancing the region’s economy and enhancing members’ success through Advocacy, Innovation, Talent and Business Advancement. Visit charlestonchamber.net.
