This study compared the academic performance of seventh-grade students on a state-mandated social studies accountability test by the instructional time configuration used and explored the relationship among the variables of gender, race and poverty on this performance. Results of 24,919 seventh-grade student social studies test scores from 117…

This mixed methods study explored the use of time-compressed instruction in English, math, and accounting courses at Florence-Darlington Technical College, a mid-sized institution located in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. The researcher compared compressed and non-compressed sections of identical courses offered at the college to determine…

The benefits of study abroad have been well documented. This paper presents a spring break international field trip to the Philippines that was organized as an optional one-credit lab course to be taken in conjunction with a full-semester three-credit geography course examining the relationship between forests and society. The field trip was to be…

The study focused on the impact of scheduling configurations on schools' middle-level social studies test performance levels and "barriers" affecting time allocated for social studies. Results of South Carolina's accountability assessment system's social studies seventh-grade performance levels in 117 schools, as well as a survey…

This study investigated the relationship among the variables instructional time configuration, gender, race/ethnicity, and poverty to predict the academic performance of seventh-grade students on a state-mandated social studies accountability test. Results of 24,919 seventh-grade student social studies test scores from 117 middle schools, as well…

Released time is an arrangement through which students are excused from public schools during regular hours to participate in devotional lessons. South Carolina has become the center of operations for a movement of evangelical Christians to expand proselytizing released time programs throughout the United States. As a result of the movement's…

This causal-comparative study investigates the differences in the End of Course Examination Program (EOCEP) test scores of ninth grade students in English I and Algebra I/Math for the technologies, as influenced by schedules used in South Carolina public high schools during the 2005-2006 academic year. Framing this study is the previous…

The conceptualization and measurement of education finance equity and adequacy has engaged researchers for more than three decades. At the same time, calls for increased academic accountability and higher student achievement in K-12 public education have reached new levels at both the national and state levels. Aligning these represents an…

Implementation of college- and career-readiness standards is some of the most important work currently underway in states to improve student achievement and public education overall. SREB examined the efforts of 14 states--including 11 SREB states--to support implementation of new college- and career-readiness standards. The goal of the research…

The following profiles address decisions and actions that state education policy-makers--in the state departments of education, unless otherwise noted--are taking to foster successful statewide implementation of their states' new college- and career-readiness standards and aligned assessments. These profiles provide a descriptive overview of each…

The following profiles address the basic decisions and actions that state education policy-makers--in the state departments of education, unless otherwise noted--are taking to foster successful statewide implementation of the new standards and aligned assessments in 15 states. These profiles provide a descriptive overview of each state's…

Implementation of college- and career-readiness standards is some of the most important work currently underway in states to improve public education and student achievement. This report provides a summary of findings from SREB's research into the efforts of 15 states--12 in the Southern Educational Research Board (SREB) region--to support…

Social studies at the middle-level represented a marginalized discipline in South Carolina. Although it was integrated into the state's accountability testing agenda and weighted equally with English, math, and science content in state school and district report card rating calculations, differences exist in the amount of time allocated for social…

Intended to support and guide teachers and administrators in providing appropriate experiences for 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old children in significant areas of living and learning, this curriculum guide reflects the early childhood education (ECE) philosophy of the South Carolina State Department of Education. The guide first provides an overview of…

The handbook offers guidelines to administrators who are developing programs to meet the need for speech therapy services in South Carolina schools. Responsibilities of school principals, speech coordinators, speech clinicians, and classroom teachers are identified. Recommendations are made concerning equipment needs (tape recorders, audiometers,…