South Carolina ETV

Speaking of Schools

Program Notes and Links of Interest

Speaking of Schools is supported by the South Carolina Department of Education and broadcast at 6:30 Monday evenings over ETV radio stations in Greenville/Spartanburg (90.1), Columbia, (91.3), and Charleston (89.3). The half-hour show is hosted by Doug Keel and features various guests. Here is the August lineup of programs:
August 4: Representatives from the Office of the State Treasurer will be in the studio and taking calls regarding South Carolina’s Section 529 Savings Plan, Future Scholar. Join us for an informative program on saving money and getting ready for the financial burden of a college education.
August 11:SC’s State Teacher of the Year for 2008, Ann Marie Taylor, has represented South Carolina well during her year as the state’s Teacher of the Year. She’ll be recapping some of the highlights and sharing a lot of her personal philosophy of teaching in this edition of Speaking of Schools.
August 18: School Choice is the focus of tonight’s program as we look at Montessori programs and their success. New South Carolina Department of Education Associate Dr. Ginny Riga and professors from Lander University will be discussing this element of school choice and listener phone calls are welcome.
August 25: Dr. Christine Christle of the Special Education faculty at USC believes no child should be left behind – bars! Dr. Christle is an Assistant Professor specializing in behavior disorders and works with pre service and in service teachers to counter the classroom actions of delinquent youth – and make them successful learners. Phone lines will be open for comments and questions from listeners.

Montessori Education Program at Lander
This summer Lander University is hosting two Montessori Information Luncheons, one in Greenwood (July 24, from 11:00-1:00) and one in Greenville (July 31, from 11:00 to 1:00) to update teachers on recent Montessori developments and to discuss Lander's new Montessori program. For additional information, please contact Dr. Renee Love at crlove@lander - or Dr. Barbara Ervin at bervin@lander.edu.

Home schooling in South Carolina is governed by several sections of the SC Code of Laws. There are also associations which offer guidance and assistance to persons interested in home schooling. Laws and additional information can be found on the website of the South Carolina Department of Education. Home schooling info.

Donors Choose, a not-for-profit organization found at Donorschoose.org provides anyone with an opportunity to become a Citizen Philanthropist, providing students in need with resources our public schools often lack. Teachers submit proposals for materials or experiences their students need and "donors choose" the specific projects to which they'd like to contribute. Over $625,000 has been contributed to SC teachers since the program began in 2005.

Valuable information on establishing effective parenting groups in SC schools and districts is available from the website of New Carolina , South Carolina's Council on Competitiveness. The website provides valuable information in many areas; it may be viewed at New Carolina . Information is also available at 803-333-9621.

Persons interested in learning more about Camp River Run , the Epilepsy Foundation of South Carolina's summer camp for children with Epilepsy can get more information about the camp and other services of the Foundation by visiting their website, The Epilepsy Foundation or by calling 803-798-8502.

Looking for an unusual opportunity to enlist students in a worthwhile service learning project? The Coalition to Control Urban Kudzu Without Chemicals is enlisting middle and high school students to help control this "plant that ate the south."Teachers are provided with training in order to optimize the educational opportunities for their students. For more information go to their website, The Kudzu Coalition.

The 2008 BellSouth SC African American History Calendar is now available and offers valuable information on the contributions of African Americans with South Carolina roots to both our state and nation. You may download the calendar and view its many features at 2008 calendar.

The SC Branch of the International Dyslexia Association offers information to individuals interested in learning more about this malady. The website is IDA and the helpline is 803-252-5051.

Over the past 12 years eighteen Habitat for Humanity homes have been buily by Clemson University students and their efforts have spread to high schools in the area, namely D. W. Daniel and Easley High. The projects have many service learning opportunities in addition to being a generous humanitarian gesture; information on how this can happen anywhere is available at the Habitat for Humanity website - look at the section named Youth United. Reverend Chris Heavner of the Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University is the faculty advisor and welcomes inquiries about what is being done in the Clemson area. Contact him at Chris Heavner.

Dr. Sue Limber is the Associate Director of the Institute on Family and Neighborhood Life at Clemson and is a nationally known authority on Bullying. Dr. Limber works with sponsors of a website which features a literal treasure trove of information on bullying containing information for parents, teachers and kids. The site can be found at Stop Bullying Now.

The Clemson Palmetto Pact a scholarship available to all South Carolinians entering their freshman year at Clemson, is a part of the University's website. Go to Clemson.

PBS' TeacherLine is committed to helping teachers acquire the skills they need for a successful future. TeacherLine provides online professional development through facilitated courses that meet national standards, supportive and collaborative learning communities and exemplary Internet-based resources. Information can be found at TeacherLine. You may also call Jennifer Davis at 803-737-3680.

CERRA is the former South Carolina Center for Teacher Recruitment, now the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement. Its offices are located at Winthrop University and their website can be found at CERRA.

The USC businessLINK program, part of the University's Office of Economic Development, can be reached by telephone at 1-866-756-2883 and via the internet at businessLINK. The Office offers the University's business and research resources and makes them more readily accessible to business people and economic developers in the state.

The South Carolina Aquarium features numerous learning opportunities for students and teachers and their web site details many of these opportunities. It can be found at The South Carolina Aquarium.

The South Carolina Council for Economic Education has sponsored the Stock Market Game for the past 14 years and the opportunity is available for non-participants to get involved in the next simulation. Call 1-888-861-6345 for more info or go to the Stock Market Game.

The mission of the South Carolina Center of Excellence for Instructional Technology Training, a cooperative venture between The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education and Clemson University, is to improve the way pre-service teachers use classroom technology once they enter the work force. The Center also supports efforts throughout the state to help educators in the field to integrate technology into their instructional practices. Information on the Center can be found at SC Center for Instructional Technology Training.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources operates a Hunter and Boater Education Program. The Hunter Education program is required for anyone born after 6/30/79 to obtain a S. C. Hunting License and the Boater Education program is open to everyone but required if a boat is to be operated by anyone under 16 without adult supervision. For additional information regarding courses in your area, call 1-800-277-4301.

Dr. Bradley Smith of the USC Department of Psychology was a recent Speaking of Schools guest and he discussed various aspects of Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. Dr. Smith's email address is Bradley H. Smith, Ph.D.

The Department has information on its website for the PACE program, the state's alternative teacher certification program. It's available at the South Carolina Department of Education.

The Charlotte Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond has hosted numerous economics classes for tours of their facility and insight in the operation of the Federal Reserve. They are also heavily involved in promoting economics education through programs like the FED Challenge. Information may be obtained from their Public Affairs Office. Contact Jewel Glenn or call her at (704) 358-2494.

Information on and Registration forms for admission to the SC Governor's School for Arts and Humanities in Greenville can be located at SCGSAH. Similarly, information, registration forms and dates and location of information sessions being held around the state for the SC Governor's School for Science and Math can be located at SCGSSM or by calling 843-383-3944.

South Carolina's Tuition Prepayment Program can be located on the web at SC Tuition Prepayment Program . Information is available by telephone at 1-888-772-4723.

The website for EdVenture, the southeast's largest children's museum, can be found at EdVenture.

The National Dropout Prevention Center website at Clemson is NDPC.

Information regarding Furman University's Lifelong Learning Program can be obtained by calling the Office of Continuing Education at 864-294-2153 or go to their website, Continuing Education.

A new state program aiding illiteracy eradication and hopefully boosting graduation rates in SC Schools is being operated by the state Education Oversight Committee. PAIRS, Parents and Adults Inspiring Reading Success, will work with churches and civic groups to create tutoring programs. Contact Dana Yow at 803-734-6164 or visit the PAIRS website.

Dr Jim Young at the College of Charleston is the Director of the College's new Discovery Informatics program and more information is available through him and the website. He can be reached at 843-953-7295. The website is Discovery Informatics.

Information on the latest Kids Count can be obtained at the SC Budget and Control Board.

The toll-free number for the Future Scholar program, South Carolina's 529 college savings plan is 1-888-244-5674. Contact them on the web at futurescholar.com.

The SC Department of Mental Health maintains an excellent web site dealing with issues confronting teens. It can be found at teen-matters.com.

LIFE Scholarships, PALMETTO FELLOWS Scholarships and information regarding financing education through the Aim College program is available through The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. Also at the Commission is a site about the GEAR UP program and other programs designed to acquaint students and the public about the need for early planning for higher education. Go to www.power2earn.com.The Commission can be reached by toll-free telephone at 1-877-349-7183.

A tremendous resource for educators and students is available through SCETV at www.knowitall.org. On the site is a wealth of video footage and information on many subjects. The site is constantly being updated and the designers seek guidance from observers as to what other types of services the site might provide.

The South Carolina Geographic Alliance at USC is a Center for Excellence for Geographic Education. Check out their website at the South Carolina Geographic Alliance, or call 1-888-895-2023.

The South Carolina Department of Education maintains an informative website containing news and information for education stakeholders around the state. Go to SCDOE

The SC State Library has a number of programs involving schools and students around the state. Visit their website at www.statelibrary.sc.gov or call 1-803-734-8666.

South Carolina School Improvement Council, SC-SIC, at USC is actively engaged with parents and schools throughout the year. They may be reached at 1-800-868-2232 or at their website, SICA.

The website of the National Beta Club is www.betaclub.org. You may contact them at 1-800-845-8261.