OCSD5 Selected to Receive $3 Million “Race To The Top” Grant From U.S. Department of Education

     Orangeburg Consolidated School District Five (OCSD5) will receive more than $3 million from the U.S. Department of Education to facilitate an Enterprise Learning initiative as part of a four-county consortium with Clarendon County School District Two, Richland County School District Two and the Williamsburg County School District. The consortium, known as the Carolina Consortium for Enterprise Learning, collaborated on the grant application that received a total award of nearly $25 million that will be distributed across the four school districts. The award was issued through a competitive grant program at the U.S. Department of Education called “Race to the Top”. The application submitted by OCSD5 and the Carolina Consortium for Enterprise Learning was one of only five awards made nationwide.
     According to a press release issued by the U.S. Department of Education, “Grantees were selected based on their vision and capacity for reform as well as a strong plan that provides educators with resources to accelerate student achievement and prepare students for college and their careers. Plans focused on transforming the learning environment so that it meets all student’s learning abilities, making equity and access to high-quality education a priority.”
     In OCSD5, the Enterprise Learning model will be introduced initially at three schools: Whittaker Elementary School, Robert E. Howard Middle School, and Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School. Enterprise Learning involves an individualized approach to learning that incorporates technology designed to expand the learning experiences of students beyond the four walls of the classroom. The Enterprise Learning model will enhance and build upon the technology commitments already underway in OCSD5.
     OCSD5 Superintendent Cynthia Wilson reacted to the news of the $3 million grant award by saying, “Today was a very exciting day for our students and our teachers as we continue our commitment to building a world-class school system. I want to thank our consortium partners, our School Board, our administrators and teachers, and our community leaders and elected officials who supported us throughout the grant application process”.
     A copy of the grant application can be viewed on the OCSD5 website at www.ocsd5.net. The announcement from the U.S. Department of Education, including links to the peer review ratings and reviewer comments, can be viewed at http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-department-education-names-five-winners-120-million-race-top-district-grant-c.