The Carolina Teacher Induction Program (CarolinaTIP) has earned a $300,000 grant from Power:Ed, the philanthropy of the SC Student Loan Corporation, to expand programming to South Carolina’s Pee Dee region. This expansion will provide the opportunity for comprehensive induction and retention support in districts with some of the highest teacher attrition in South Carolina. Power:Ed’s transformational funding will provide crucial support to up to 45 novice teachers in the first Pee Dee CarolinaTIP Cohort.
“This forward-thinking gift from Power:Ed will allow CarolinaTIP to support and serve more South Carolina teachers as we work to positively impact teacher retention,” said CarolinaTIP Director Nicole Skeen. “We are thrilled we are now able to formally announce our expansion into the Pee Dee region of the state this fall with the creation of a cohort of teachers thanks to the generosity of Power:Ed, and details on the expansion will be released soon.”
Since its inception in 2017, CarolinaTIP has proven to be a highly effective coaching and development model specifically designed to help novice teachers persevere and thrive in the profession by addressing educator-identified and research-based factors of teacher attrition. CarolinaTIP has achieved professional retention rates ranging from 92% to 100%. Consistently above 90%, the program’s retention rate remains 30-40% higher than state and national averages for retention among novice educators.
The program serves teachers from over 30 colleges and universities, including teachers pursuing alternative certification pathways, guaranteeing districts the opportunity to provide award-winning comprehensive induction and retention support to all eligible teachers in their schools.
“As our state’s flagship institution, we take our mission to serve every corner of South Carolina very seriously,” says Thomas Hodges, dean of the College of Education. “We are committed to providing data-based solutions to keep South Carolina’s teachers in the classroom.”
Comparison data provided by districts suggest CarolinaTIP helps districts retain a difference of +11.7% of their induction classes. At the average cost of $20,000 to replace a teacher who leaves the classroom, retaining 50 teachers has the potential impact of $1,000,000 in fiscal savings in partner districts.”Last week, CarolinaTIP recognized and celebrated 51 teachers who are completing the program in 2024.
PARTNERSHIP SPOTLIGHT
Power:Ed and CarolinaTIP
L to R: Christine Shelek, Morgan Lee, SCSL President & CEO Trey Simon, SCSL Director of Outreach Destra Capers, Angela Adams, Power:Ed Executive Director Claire Gibbons, CarolinaTIP Director Nicole Skeen, College of Education Dean Thomas Hodges and Director of Development Teesa Brunson
“This is our second multi-year grant in support of USC’s CarolinaTIP program and the teachers it serves. We are so proud of the vital impact CarolinaTIP makes in lifting up novice teachers, and we are so excited about this launch into the Pee Dee school districts. Power:Ed believes this model can be replicated across South Carolina to strengthen outcomes for teachers and students alike,” said Power:Ed Executive Director Claire Gibbons.
In FY2023-24 Power:Ed will award $1,000,000 in grants to South Carolina education and career readiness organizations. In this third quarter, Power:Ed has awarded five grants, including this grant to CarolinaTIP. Grants are administered quarterly, and the next grant funding deadline is April 1, 2024.
About Power:Ed
Founded in 2019, Power:Ed, the philanthropy of SC Student Loan is dedicated to creating opportunities for South Carolina’s youth and adults by supporting low-income, minority, and first-generation students; improving access to college and degree completion; and creating pathways to quality workforce opportunities. Organizations serving middle school through post-college talent who are interested in applying for a grant or partnering with Power:Ed, should visit www.power-ed.org.