Richland School District Two Superintendent Dr. Stephen Hefner wants every school in his district to have a magnet program.
The new program that's been set up at Kelly Mill Middle School that started in August will put an emphasis on economic literacy.
If you venture in the school on any given day, you will find a common thread that links social studies, science, language arts and math.
It's a business-minded curriculum that's part of the new magnet program called Kelly Mill INC.
"We work with hundreds of schools across the state as far as training their teachers, however there are very few schools that have taken it to the extent that Kelly Mill Inc has," says Helen Meyers, the President of the South Carolina Council on Economic Education.
The SCCEE is a non-profit organization that helps teachers infuse business into the classroom.
They offer training and materials to teachers in all grade levels.
"People don't realize that economics is something we do every day and it's involved in every decision that we make. And when teachers go through our workshops, it's an 'aha' experience for them." The hope is that it will be an 'aha' experience for students, too.
For example, in the math class, children are calculating how long it would take to earn a million dollars.
In the English language arts class, kids are reading a book and determining if the story includes natural resources, and how that might change the experience for the characters.
Lead Teacher of Kelly Mill INC, Vann Holden, says "We want to make sure it's in the classroom and outside of the classroom. That way, the students truly see the everyday application of all of the things that we talk about." He says the students will expand their in-classroom lessons across the national and global economics spectrum, traveling in- and out-of state on field trips.
Holden also says special guest speakers would be brought in to enhance the experience.
For example, a panel of four local banks would be coming to the school to "compete" for the students' business.
"We think by the time our students leave the three years here at Kelly Mill Inc they are going to be ready to take on any challenge they want to," Holden says.
To learn more about the SCCEE, visit http://sceconomics.org/index.html
9/17/2008 2:48:53 PM
