Commentary: Schools of innovation good for SC, but school districts must do their part

Story by Courtney Williams / August 4, 2021

By: Darrin Goss | Post and Courier

The South Carolina Legislature took a positive step toward equity in education this session with the passage of the schools of innovation bill, which gives school districts the option to create more than one public school of innovation within their districts. However, to unlock the transformative power of these types of schools — like what we’ve seen from Meeting Street Schools here in Charleston — local school districts should do more than what’s required by the new law to ensure they’re established in communities where other approaches haven’t worked, and to truly reflect the values and needs of the students they’ll serve.

Public schools of innovation provide school administrators and teachers more flexibility than they would have in traditional public schools to make decisions about personnel, training and curriculum to tailor the whole school experience to the unique needs, learning styles and challenges of their student bodies. They still have requirements imposed on them by the district — just as any other public school does. In exchange for greater autonomy, the schools must demonstrate how they improve students’ academic achievement.

While we believe the schools of innovation law is important and support it as written, we ask local school districts to enact the following practices to ensure the schools are set up to serve their core purpose, which is to bring a new, equity-centered approach to public education:

• Focus on the schools and communities that need them most. In this state, roughly a third of all students attend what federal law calls a “comprehensive support and improvement” or low-performing school — that is, a school where most students perform one or more years below grade level in reading or math. We believe school districts should allow only low-performing schools to become public schools of innovation, rather than further advantaging students who already demonstrate they are succeeding at traditional public schools.

• Engage the community and let it shape the future of the school. We believe that before a school is closed and restarted as a school of innovation, converted to a school of innovation or a new school of innovation is opened, mandatory and honest conversations with those who will be affected must take place, and they should shape the future of the school. As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child. That village includes countless teachers and administrators who wake up every day thinking about how best to serve their students. This law will allow them the opportunity to work with their students, parents and community members in shaping the most appropriate environment for their students’ unique learning styles.

• Determine who can run the school. Private, for-profit companies shouldn’t be running public schools. However, community-based nonprofits can and should be considered as trustworthy partners to operate public schools of innovation. They are public entities with boards of directors that are held to rigorous standards of accountability and are composed of members of the community. This approach has worked very well in Indiana and Louisiana. We drew inspiration from these states when developing our proposed policy model for South Carolina, which helped inform the new state law.

• Engage philanthropy. Philanthropy has long played a role in supporting public education. Scholarships, STEAM programs and early childhood education are supported by donations from community stakeholders, including through foundations. Public schools of innovation have a unique opportunity to leverage these dollars to expand programs, add second teachers in classrooms or extend school days. These are the innovations that those who are committed to improving education are eager to support financially, just as they have supported scholarships, after-school programs, youth sports and more for many years.

We advocated for this law because we believe it can unlock access to high-quality education for students who aren’t reaching their full potential in other settings. We will continue to educate stakeholders and education officials about what public schools of innovation are and how they can use them to advance equity. We look forward to helping unite people and bring together resources to make public schools of innovation as successful as they can be in South Carolina.

Darrin Goss Sr. is president and CEO of the Coastal Community Foundation, which works in nine counties along South Carolina’s coast.

 

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About Meeting Street Schools

Meeting Street Schools (MSS) is an innovative non-profit where schools, families, and the community collaborate to create environments where all children can achieve their full potential. With a network of schools across South Carolina, including MSA-Charleston (Charleston, SC), MSA-Spartanburg (Spartanburg, SC), MS-Brentwood (North Charleston, SC), MS-Burns (North Charleston, SC), and MS-Jasper & Beaufort (Jasper, SC), we are committed to providing students with the rigorous education they deserve.

Founded on the principle that every child deserves an excellent education regardless of their socio-economic background, Meeting Street Schools has been a beacon of hope and a testament to what's possible in education. Our schools are driven by a strong focus on student achievement, evidence-based instruction, and relentless support of our students and their families.

While united by our shared mission, each MSS campus, is unique in its character, tapping into the local spirit of the communities they serve. Explore each of our schools and discover how they're creating a brighter future for students in South Carolina.

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Our Schools

MSA – CharlestonDowntown Charleston, SC - Independent School - Since 2008 - 364 Students

Nestled in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina, MSA Charleston is more than just a school—it’s a hub for innovative learning and community engagement. As part of the Meeting Street Schools network, MSA Charleston embodies a commitment to excellence through its rigorous academic programs, inclusive culture, and focus on developing the whole child. With a curriculum that emphasizes both academic and personal growth, MSA Charleston prepares students to be curious learners and active citizens of their community.

MSA – SpartanburgDowntown Spartanburg, SC - Public School - Since 2012 - 323 Students

MSA Spartanburg stands as a pillar of educational innovation in the Spartanburg community. The school’s dedicated educators and supportive learning environment ensure that each child receives a high-quality, personalized education with exceptional faculty and teachers. MSA Spartanburg is distinguished by its emphasis on community partnership, fostering relationships that extend beyond the classroom to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success.

MS – BrentwoodNorth Charleston, SC - Public School - Since 2014 - 694 Students

MS Brentwood is a place where education meets opportunity. Serving the Brentwood area, this school is a testament to the transformative power of education. With a student-centered approach that celebrates diversity and encourages excellence, MS Brentwood is dedicated to equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. MS Brentwood also serves as a hub for the Brentwood community to access educational and wellness services. The school’s commitment to innovation, coupled with a warm, welcoming environment, makes it a standout in the MSS network.

MS – BurnsNorth Charleston, SC - Public School - Since 2018 - 478 Students

Located in a community rich with history and culture, MS Burns is renowned for its dynamic educational approach that intertwines traditional learning with modern teaching techniques. The school’s focus on experiential learning ensures that students at MS Burns are not only recipients of knowledge but also active participants in their educational journey. MS Burns exists to spark an educational revolution for the students and families in the Dorchester-Waylyn Neighborhood in North Charleston. With a commitment to creating a supportive and challenging academic environment, MS Burns is forging a new path in public education.

MS – Jasper & BeaufortJasper County, SC - Public Charter School - Fall 2023 -

MS Jasper represents the Meeting Street Schools’ dedication to community-based education with a global perspective. The school provides a nurturing environment where students are encouraged to explore their potential and cultivate a love for learning. With its diverse programs such as Eureka Math, and Wit and Wisdom, MS Jasper puts a major emphasis on character development, specialized learning and equips students to become thoughtful, engaged members of society, reflecting the MSS ethos of empowerment through education.

CommunityVoices

  • 1/3

“MSA is a family. Once you’re in, you’re in. They said they would follow our kids from K-3 to college and they actually lived up to what they said they would do. Not only did MSA challenge my daughter academically but it also exposed her to new things that she probably wouldn’t have been exposed to at our previous neighborhood school. Our journey at MSA was exciting and rewarding. They actually walk the walk.”

— Tyeka GrantParent

  • 2/3

“We come into work everyday truly believing that our students are capable of achieving anything that is put in front of them. Here at MSS, students are provided the opportunity to achieve success through the facilitation of well-educated teachers, resources, and a responsive classroom school environment.”

— NikToshia GilesTeacher

  • 3/3

“Meeting Street Academy is my family. They taught me that I am valuable. I am an asset to the world…They asked me, ‘What is your dream?’ I had never been asked that before. The MSS community gives me the strength to pursue my dreams.”

— Kadelyn SteedStudent