TheState.com: Education

Syndicated columnist to speak at USC

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:22 EST

"Seeking Civility in America's Political Discourse" will be the topic of nationally syndicated newspaper columnist Kathleen Parker, who is speaking Thursday at the University of South Carolina.

Parker's appearance, free and open to the public, will start at 7 p.m. in the 383-seat Belk Auditorium at the Darla Moore School of Business.

"I don't know if she will talk about Joe Wilson or not," said Charles Bierbauer, dean of USC's College of Mass Communications and Information Studies.

Wilson, R-S.C., was recently reprimanded by the U.S. House of Representatives for shouting "You lie!" during President Barack Obama's speech about health care proposals.

Bierbauer will introduce USC President Harris Pastides, who will introduce Parker. Bierbauer said Parker's appearance was scheduled months ago, long before Wilson's outburst.

Human rights activist to speak at Furman

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:34 EST

Human rights activist Tony Campolo is scheduled to speak Thursday at Furman University.

Campolo, an ordained minister in the American Baptist Churches USA, is founder and president of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education.

He will address the fight against poverty and social injustice during his speech, scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Watkins Room of the University Center.

- Wayne Washington

Teaching the love of language

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:55 EST

He favors seersucker suits in summer, corduroy vests in fall, bow ties year-round.

His diction - Southern genteel leavened with a dash of the aristocrat - is impeccable.

For 50 years, Jimmy Gasque has been a larger-than-life presence in the classroom. He leverages his literary wisdom to persuade teenagers of the beauty of a finely crafted phrase and the integrity of this over-arching truth: "It is beautiful and proper to defend the English Language."

Or as he might say in Latin: "Dulce et Decorum Est Linguam Anglicum Defendere."

When students enter Gasque's class at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School - as they have each August for nearly four decades - they know what to expect.

Fowler named chairman of Voorhees board

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:57 EST

Don Fowler, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee and the S.C. Democratic Party, has been appointed chairman of the board of trustees at Voorhees College.

Fowler has been on Voorhees' board since 1983.

"I accept the board's charge as both a privilege and a challenge," Fowler said. "Voorhees College has been a great, contributing institution in South Carolina that has experienced some difficulty in recent years. But with our exceptionally fine president, Cleveland Sellers, our best years are ahead of us."

Both Sellers and Fowler have ties to the University of South Carolina.

Sellers was director of USC's African-American Studies Program before leaving for Voorhees in 2008.

Two on new space shuttle have S.C. connections

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:29 EST

Two astronauts with South Carolina connections are part of the six-person crew of the space shuttle heading to the International Space Station.

U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Randy Bresnik, who graduated from The Citadel in 1989, joins Denmark native Dr. Robert L. Satcher on the Atlantis crew, which is scheduled to launch today.

Satcher is a 1982 graduate of Denmark-Olar High School, the Times and Democrat of Orangeburg reported Sunday. Satcher has a medical degree from Harvard, and is an orthopedic surgeon who most recently taught at Northwestern University.

His parents live in Lawrenceville, Va.

-- From staff reports

Tuition program unstable

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:13 EST

Don Henderson bought a contract in South Carolina's pre-paid college tuition program for his daughter seven years ago, feeling secure enough in that financial decision to retire from his job as a Charlotte firefighter.

Then, Henderson, who lives in Columbia, started hearing whispers about the plan's finances.

The reality behind those whispers could mean the pre-paid tuition program will run out of money before Henderson's daughter is old enough to go to college.

Henderson is not alone.

More than 6,000 other S.C. parents also have invested in the pre-paid tuition program.

Homecoming at Allen University

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:44 EST

Allen University's homecoming parade today will kick off a series of events this weekend as the school welcomes back alumni.

The parade, scheduled to be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m., will feature marching bands from Lee Central and Mullins high schools, as well as the Marlboro County High Color Guard and Drill Team, floats, clowns and motorcycles, mini-cars from the Cairo Temple Masonic Lodge, Allen class presidents, Greek organizations, and Miss Allen University and her court.

The parade route starts at Hampton Street and, after winding over several streets, ends at Oak Street.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., an Allen University family reunion in the center of campus will feature tailgating, music, carnival games and food.

Allen's women's basketball team will face Spartanburg Methodist College in the J.H. Adams Gymnasium at 4 p.m. Afterward, at 6 p.m., Allen's men's team will take on Barber-Scotia College.

Clemson moves MBA program downtown

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:44 EST

GREENVILLE - A $1 million gift from ScanSource Inc. paved the way for Clemson University to move its master's of business administration program to downtown Greenville beginning in January, the university said Friday.

Clemson said it plans to move its MBA program, most of whose 270 students study at the University Center on Pleasantburg Drive, to the downtown office building next to Liberty Bridge that once housed papermaker Bowater Inc.'s headquarters.

The university also plans to put a professional and continuing education program there, as well as support programs for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Clemson president Jim Barker said the move will expose MBA students to a vibrant business culture not available on a traditional university campus.

"Many top-ranked business schools have relocated their MBA programs into energetic urban environments for this same reason," Barker said.

Zais joins race to lead S.C. schools

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:14 EST

Newberry College president Mitchell "Mick" Zais said Thursday he will run for the Republican nomination for state superintendent of education in 2010.

The 62-year-old Zais, a retired Army brigadier general, has been Newberry's president for 10 years.

Candidates have been slower to join the superintendent's race than other offices on the 2010 ballot.

Furman University political science professor Brent Nelsen announced his candidacy for the GOP nomination after an abortive bid for governor. Dutch Fork High School teacher Kelly Payne also has opened a campaign account but has yet to announce formally for the Republican nomination.

Greenville attorney Frank Holleman is the sole Democrat to launch a bid.

Criminal checks sought on substitute teachers

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:14 EST

The State Board of Education wants a law to require criminal background checks for substitute teachers.

The 17-member board voted unanimously earlier this week to require the checks for short- and long-term substitute teachers in every S.C. school district. Currently, only full-time certified teachers much be screened.

"Substitute teachers are where the rub is," said Tim Moore, chairman of the state board. "There's no rules on them. A district could hire someone suspected of armed robbery or even convicted of armed robbery to be a substitute."

Legislators will have to change state law to make the screenings mandatory.

A State Department of Education official said he expects a change will have little impact. A majority of school districts - possibly all of them - already conduct background checks of substitutes, according to Mark Bounds, state assistant superintendent.

Newberry president running for superintendent

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:55 EST

Newberry College President Mitchell "Mick" Zais said Thursday that he will seek the Republican nomination for superintendent of education in 2010.

Zais, 62, has served 10 years as Newberry's president, and is a retired brigadier general in the U.S. Army.

Zais said he does not support a universal program granting tax credits or vouchers to allow parents to send their children to private schools, but would support a program targeted to low-performing school districts.

But Zais said businesses and donors should be able to claim a tax deduction for scholarship donations to private schools.

"I'm not going to run to be in charge of private schools in this state," Zais said. "You can't put your eggs in the private school basket. For most young people that's not an option."

4 SC educators charged after claims of abuse

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:30 EST

Four South Carolina educators have been arrested after claims a former teaching assistant abused autistic students and others failed to report it.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reported Thursday that the alleged abuse at Knightsville Elementary School included holding hands over a child's mouth and nose, dragging a child by the hair and striking one in the head.

Heather Martin is charged with illegal conduct toward a child. Rebecca Piersol-Crosby is charged with illegal conduct toward a child and failing to report a crime. Mary Rita Watson and Anita Ruff-Putillion are each charged with failure to report child abuse.

None of the women currently work at the school, but three continue to work for the district. Martin resigned.

All four women were released Wednesday.

Richland 1 gets coveted national accreditation

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:49 EST

A team of accreditation educators Wednesday granted full preliminary national accreditation to Richland 1, saying its administrators, teachers, staff members and parents have a "passionate commitment" to educating the whole child.

A cheer rose in the board room of Richland 1's administration building as the team's vice chairman, W. Darrell Barringer, announced the results of its report and the recommendations it will forward to the AdvancEd Accreditation Commission.

Accreditation gives a district cachet, helping lure talented teachers and students to the classroom.

The commission is the umbrella accreditation organization for the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), and the National Study of School Evaluation (NSSE).

The announcement followed a yearlong process, culminating in three days of on-site investigation. During the three days, Barringer said, the team spoke to 84 administrators, 227 teachers, 42 support staffers, 149 parents and community leaders, and 217 students.

Gamecock Guarantee: 'We want to get the word out'

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:49 EST

The University of South Carolina wants to expand a three-year-old program that provides financial assistance to students from the state's poorest households.

USC's Gamecock Guarantee, a needs-based program that has provided tuition-and-fee assistance to 211 S.C. students since last fall, puts the university in league with other large public schools that are using scarce resources to attract low-income students.

But USC officials say too many students are unaware of the program, even as the economic downturn has created more financial hardship for students and parents.

"With higher unemployment and the cost of education going up, we have more need than ever," said Scott Verzyl, USC's vice provost of enrollment management. "Yet it's more important than ever for students to go to college."

USC plans to mount an advertising campaign that will include public service announcements, billboards, testimonials and perhaps, Verzyl said, a celebrity spokesman.

State to seek funds for education reform

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:55 EST

State Department of Education leaders said they will apply for a portion of $4 billion in federal stimulus money for school reform available to states, and they think they have a shot at getting it.

The U.S. Department of Education isn't yet accepting applications for the money, which will be available through a competitive federal grant program called "Race to the Top."

But when applications are accepted, the department has said, it will favor states that support charter schools and that have put in place programs that tie teachers' pay to their students' academic performance.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan has control over which states will get the money, and it could go to as few as 10 to 20 states.

Betsy Carpentier, the state's deputy superintendent for education, said South Carolina has several key strategies already in place that could help it land a grant, including:

Popular Camden schoolteacher dies

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:30 EST

Students and teachers at Camden Middle School are mourning the death of a popular seventh-grade math instructor.

Leon Kats, 54, died late Wednesday after a brief illness. School officials declined comment on the cause of death.

Kats was "very beloved," Kershaw County school spokeswoman Mary Anne Byrd said.

Camden Middle principal Jeff Jordan said Kats was an energetic, dedicated teacher who inspired and challenged pupils.

"He epitomized everything I'd like a teacher to be," said Jordan, whose son also had Kats as a teacher. "He really went the extra mile for children. He felt it was his calling."

Camden math teacher dies

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:52 EST

Students at Camden Middle School are mourning the death of a popular 7th-grade mathematics teacher.

Leon Kats, 54, passed away last night. School officials declined comment on the cause of death.

Kats was “very beloved,” Kershaw County school spokesman Mary Anne Byrd said.

He had taught at the school since 1997 and was an advisor for the yearbook and other student organizations, officials said.

Palmetto Health Richland spokeswoman Tammie Epps said Kats died 10:55 p.m. Wednesday, but cited privacy laws in refusing to offer any other details.

Fears, tears, grins greet swine flu shots

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:20 EST

With the sound of schoolmates sniffling and crying all around him, 5-year-old Santos Duran bravely sat in his mom's lap in the band room at Forts Pond Elementary School and awaited his swine flu shot.

A hint of apprehension crossed his face as the needle neared his arm, but Santos hardly flinched at the stick. Then a grin crossed his face. "That didn't hurt at all," he told his mother, Janet Washington.

Others at the Pelion-area school were less stoic, but most of the youngsters were smiling before the end of the mandatory 15-minute wait at the post-shot comfort station. Hugs from parents and teachers, along with candy suckers, Scooby Doo graham cracker cookies and apple juice, helped dry the tears at one of the first in-school vaccination clinics in the Midlands.

Lexington 1 started its vaccination program at Forts Pond and Pelion elementary schools Monday, with plans to give nearly 570 shots for the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu. Parents earlier had filled out permission slips allowing district and S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control nurses to administer vaccine to about 50 percent of the 1,148 students in the two schools.

The response was higher than the 30 percent approval expected by district officials, said spokeswoman Mary Beth Hill.

Beaufort super refuses bonus, cites economy

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:29 EST

BEAUFORT - Beaufort County schools superintendent Valerie Truesdale says she will refuse any bonus the Board of Education might award her this year for boosting student achievement and meeting other goals.

"I just don't think that's appropriate," Truesdale said at the board's annual fall retreat on Saturday.

She said money is tight during these challenging economic times and it would be unreasonable for her to personally gain from the collective efforts of the district, including its teachers and other instructional leaders.

The board met Saturday to evaluate Truesdale's performance during the 2008-09 school year and determine whether she should receive the annual performance-based bonus listed in her contract. Truesdale received a $17,500 bonus last year.

However, after a three-hour closed session, the board said they would postpone Truesdale's formal evaluation until January, when scores on the state-mandated Palmetto Assessment of State Standards are expected to be available from the S.C. Department of Education.

H1N1 flu shots started in schools

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:42 EST

With the sound of schoolmates sniffling and crying all around him, 5-year-old Santos Duran bravely sat in his mom’s lap in the band room at Forts Pond Elementary School and awaited his swine flu shot. A hint of apprehension crossed his face as the needle neared his arm, but Santos hardly flinched at the stick. Then a grin crossed his face. “That didn’t hurt at all,” he told his mother, Janet Washington. Others at the Pelion-area school were less stoic, but most of the youngsters were smiling before the end of the mandatory 15-minute wait at the post-shot comfort station. Hugs from parents and teachers, along with candy suckers, Scooby Doo graham cracker cookies and apple juice, helped dry the tears at one of the first in-school vaccination clinics in the Midlands.

Lexington 1 started vaccination program at Forts Pond and Pelion elementary schools Monday, with plans to give nearly 570 shots for the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu. Parents earlier had filled out permission slips allowing district and S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control nurses to administer vaccine to about 50 percent of the 1,148 students in the two schools. The response was higher than the 30 percent approval expected by district officials, said spokesperson Mary Beth Hill.

Parents were allowed to accompany their children into the clinic. By 8 a.m. Monday, dozens of parents sat outside the Forts Pond band room, where four inoculation stations were set up. “Our daughter was very, very nervous,” said Johnnette Murray. “Her heart was pounding.” “She was like a zombie all morning,” John Murray said.

The Murrays have read reports of healthy children dying from swine flu, and they didn’t want to take any chances with their daughter, Tayler, 9. “Afterwards, she’ll say ‘That wasn’t nothing,’” John Murray said. A few minutes later, Tayler trudged down the hall from class, a look of dread on her round face. She broke out in a huffy cry by the time she sat in her father’s lap for the shot, and tears began to run down her cheeks. “If you tighten up your arm muscle, it’ll hurt,” said Heather Jackson, the Pelion Middle School nurse administering Tayler’s shot. “Can you relax?” Tayler tried to relax, but then started crying harder when she saw the needle. Then, in an instant, the deed was done. “It’s over,” said Johnnette. “Wasn’t nothing to it, was it?” John asked.

Through her tears, Tayler agreed with her dad. After a few minutes in the comfort area, she was all smiles, ready to go back to the classroom and tell the other third-graders it wasn’t too bad. Most other districts in the Midlands will be using the same format as Lexington 1, offering shots in school during the school day. Lexington 3 plans to do all of its shots after school at Batesburg-Leesville High School on Nov. 18.