State Department of Education staff member recognized for advancing dropout prevention

March 6, 2010

COLUMBIA, SC – March 5, 2010 – Dr. Sabrina Moore, Director of the Office of Regional Services at the South Carolina Department of Education, has received the Governor and Mrs. Richard W. Riley Award of Excellence for advancing dropout prevention initiatives in the state.

Moore is the eighth recipient of the award named after the state’s former governor and his late wife, Tunky, in recognition of their leadership and vision for education.  Riley cut the ribbon at the opening of the National Dropout Prevention Center at Clemson University in 1986 and is currently a senior partner in the law firm of Nelson, Mullins, Riley & Scarborough, LLP.  Mrs. Riley chaired South Carolina Dropout Prevention Network from 1987-89. 

Dr. Moore oversees implementation of the state’s Education and Economic Development Act (EEDA) and has given special attention to the law’s dropout prevention component.  She was cited for showing vision, leadership and support for innovative and research-proven dropout prevention strategies, and for the development of data systems designed to identify students at high risk of not graduating from high school. 

Her work has resulted in “a huge step forward for South Carolina in addressing its dropout problem,” according to the award citation. 

Dr. Moore formerly served as administrator for the statewide 21st Century Community Learning Centers program and was its liaison to the U.S. Department of Education; supervised management of the After-School Program/Homework Centers; and directed the GEAR UP Program at Denmark Technical College.  She’s also held various teaching and administrative roles at Denmark Technical College, Clemson University, Tri-County Technical College and W. L. Bonner College.

Dr. Moore’s previous honors include the Dr. Donald Henderson Partner in Public Education Award, the South Carolina Council of Negro Women “Living the Legacy” Award, Educator of the Year at Denmark and Tri-County Technical colleges, Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, and the Presidential Citation for Excellence in Service from Tri-County Technical College.  She’s the author of a number of articles, including “Getting Them to Read” and “Retreating into Comfort Zones.”