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The Education Foundation was founded in 1995 as an initiative of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce to improve the region's economy by fostering a strong public education system. The Foundation believes that partnerships between business and education are a key ingredient for ensuring that students graduate from high school equipped with the knowledge, skills and work ethic they will need to succeed in postsecondary eduation and the world of work.
The programs and initiatives of The Foundation demonstrate a solid track record of success in creating opportunities in businesses and industry for students and educators to gain...
...Exposure to the world of work
...Awareness of opportunities, now and in the future
...Experience with workplace realities and high standards
Connecting business and education is a win-win situation for young people and the communities of Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties!
To learn more about The Education Foundation, you can review its 2009-2014 Strategic Plan.
Vision
Business and education aligned to ensure world-class schools in our thriving community
Mission
A community- based nonprofit dedicated to building career academies by connecting business and education – working every day to improve our region’s schools, learning opportunities and workforce.
Milestones
| 1995 First Meeting of Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation Board of Directors First Annual Business Education Summit |
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| 1997 Inauguration of the Workplace Institute for Educators (WISE) to introduce teachers to the workplace School-to-Work Regional Forum gains commitment from participating organizations that School-to-Work should be conducted on a regional basis |
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| 1998 First co-sponsorship of Groundhog Job Shadow Day, placing 500 students in job shadow opportunities throughout the region |
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| 1999 Creation of Our Priorities, Our Schools report: a survey of 1000+ voters in Berkeley, Charleston & Dorchester counties about public education |
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2000 |
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| 2002 The Education Foundation becomes a funding partner in the Community Benchmarking Collaborative and began serving on the Steering Committee The Education Foundation and Summerville High School enter into a formal partnership to restructure the largest high school in the state into a series of smaller learning communities |
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| 2003 Smaller Learning Communities Coalition established (Stall, Stratford, Summerville, Wando, West Ashley high schools) Coalition receives $215,000 federal planning grant |
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2004 Prinicipal for a Day begins in Charleston County School District |
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2005 South Carolina legislature passes Education and Economic Development Act that established Personal Pathways to Success mandating career pathways in all high schools |
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2006 Education Foundation staff member attends inaugural U.S. Chamber Institute for a Competitive Workforce |
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2007 The Education Foundation named Administrative Partner to the Trident Regional Education Center Eight staff and volunteers attend U.S. Chamber Institute for a Competitive Workforce; first contact made with Ford Motor Company's national resource network |
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2008 Principal for a Day reaches 100 percent of schools in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties |
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2009 Ford Motor Company Fund's Next Generation Learning Communities designates The Education Foundation as an affiliate P-20 Council holds first meeting |
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2010 Fifty business and education leaders make site visit to career academies in St. John's County, Florida Business Education Summit focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) |
