Betty Bagley is the superintendent of McCormick County School District. At the time of authoring this blog, Betty was traveling the state promoting personalized learning and the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate
As a superintendent, I will never forget the hope and excitement of a new school year. As educators and students across South Carolina begin a new year, I am encouraged to see so much of this hope and excitement focused on opportunities to transform the way we think about teaching and learning so that students can achieve the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate (PSCG).
The PSCG is driving our state to think differently about the way we educate students. We must understand the “Why” for change before true reform can take place. For graduates to be successful in the 21st Century, they must possess characteristics, traits, and skills of a well-rounded learner. As we gain a deeper understanding of the PSCG the need to co-create new learning opportunities is becoming more urgent.
There is no one way to foster a successful, well-rounded graduate. Rather each district, each school, each classroom may take its own personalized approach. This movement usually starts with a few teachers and grows to a school-wide endeavor. The enthusiasm of students, teachers, and parents create the catalyst for others to seek out new approaches, strategies, and methods for creating personalized, engaging learning opportunities for students. As the momentum grows, school, district, and board leadership is critical in supporting and encouraging this shift.
Across our state, teachers and students are working together to create new opportunities for students to be actively engaged in deep, personalized learning experiences that support students in achieving the knowledge, skills, and characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate.