Three Public Education Programs Named Finalists for Dick and Tunky Riley WhatWorksSC Award

FOR INFORMATION:
Katie Quine
Marketing and Communications Manager
The Riley Institute at Furman University
864.294.3368; katie.quine@furman.edu

SEPTEMBER 22, 2022 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Three Public Education Programs Named Finalists for Dick and Tunky Riley WhatWorksSC Award
Former U.S. Secretary of Education Dick Riley to announce winner of the $10,000 award at a celebratory luncheon honoring the finalists on October 25

GREENVILLE, S.C.— Clemson University’s Teacher Residency Program, Communities In Schools of SC, and Upstate Schools Consortium are being recognized for their positive impact on public education in South Carolina. The three initiatives have been named finalists for the Riley Institute’s 12th annual Dick and Tunky Riley WhatWorksSC Award.

Presented by former U.S. Secretary of Education and S.C. Governor Richard W. Riley, the WhatWorksSC Award will be given to one of these finalists at a celebratory luncheon at 12:30 p.m. on October 25 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. All three finalists will receive recognition and a cash award.

More about the 2022 Dick and Tunky Riley WhatWorksSC Award finalists:

• Clemson University’s Teacher Residency Program prepares individuals enrolled in Clemson’s bachelor’s-to-master’s teaching program with strong content knowledge, a full year of student teaching, and mentorship by high-quality, experienced educators with the aims of increasing teacher retention and preparedness as well as PK-12 student achievement.
• Communities In Schools of South Carolina surrounds students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Using the Integrated Student Supports model, school-based coordinators support students inside and outside the classroom, helping them graduate, create healthier relationships, and succeed in life.
• The Upstate Schools Consortium offers professional development opportunities throughout the school year related to a wide range of topics, from literacy and math to college and career readiness to grading, for K-12 educators, district office personnel, and future educators on Furman’s campus and online.

A committee of corporate leaders and education experts selected these programs from a large pool of entries based on effectiveness as evidenced by their research, resource allocation, and sustainability. The winner will be awarded a $10,000 cash prize, and the two finalists will receive $1,000 each. All three will become members of the Riley Institute’s WhatWorksSC Clearinghouse, an online resource that collects and shares key strategies for improving South Carolina’s public schools. They will also be featured on South Carolina ETV’s knowitall.org, which compiles thousands of media resources for teachers and students from pre-K through 12th grade.

Tickets to the event are $25, include lunch, and are available for purchase now at furman.edu/wwsc-2022.

The Riley Institute would like to thank the following WhatWorksSC 2022 sponsors for their generous support: Aflac, Riley Pope & Laney, LLC, South Carolina Association of School Administrators, The South Carolina Education Association, South Carolina School Boards Association, and the South Carolina Afterschool Alliance. The event is also made possible by South Carolina ETV for producing the videos featuring our finalists and by the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee for its material help.

For more information, contact Katie Quine at 864.294.3368 or email katie.quine@furman.edu.

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About the Riley Institute at Furman University

Furman University’s Richard W. Riley Institute advances social and economic progress in South Carolina and beyond by building leadership for a diverse society, broadening student and community perspectives on critical issues, hosting expert speakers, supporting public education, and creating knowledge through community solutions-focused research. It is committed to nonpartisanship in all it does and to a rhetoric-free, facts-based approach to change. Learn more at furman.edu/riley.