Education and Economic
Development Act
The Education and Economic Development Act (EEDA) was signed into law on May 27, 2005, the result of five years of hard work by business leaders, educators and legislators.
The EEDA sets up Personal Pathways to Success. It is a system that combines high academic standards with career exploration while giving students the guidance and experience they need to take full advantage of real opportunities in the South Carolina economy.
In the Personal Pathways system, students learn about careers by following a progression of activities and courses designed to focus on career awareness (K-5), exploration (middle school), and preparation (high school and postsecondary). In the eighth grade, students and their parents or guardians sit down with counselors to create individual graduation plans (IGP). IGPs specify students’ cluster choices, majors, postsecondary goals, high school courses, out-of-class learning experiences, and more. Students
and their parents revisit these choices at least once a year and can make adjustments.
The Personal Pathways system sets up seamless transitions to postsecondary education by establishing articulation agreements among the state’s high schools, two-year colleges and four-year colleges.
The EEDA mandates a variety of supporting initiatives, including:
High Schools That Work (HSTW)
By 2010 all South Carolina high schools are to be reorganized on the HSTW model (or a similar model). The HSTW model supports rigorous academic standards and out-of-classroom learning opportunities.
Regional education centers (REC)
RECs will coordinate and facilitate career planning services for students and adults, professional development for educators and workforce education programs.
Individual attention for students
Middle schools and high schools are mandated to achieve a ratio of one counselor for every 300 students. At-risk students will be identified and helped early.
Protection against tracking
The EEDA protects students from being steered into pathways that do not fit their best interests.