Chairman:
Stu Rodman
Vice Chairman:
Margaret McManis
Mission:
Provide a forum, discuss issues, identify priorities, and urge constructive outcomes with regard to education and workforce–related matters and foster broader community understanding and engagement in these matters.
Meeting Schedule/Location:
Third Tuesday of the month at 4:00 pm (on Zoom until further notice)
Goals:
Support local educational initiatives through collaboration
Accomplishments:
Helpful Hints for Children from Birth to 4 Years
Following the production and distribution of “Collaborate from Birth to Eight for Early Grade Reading” in English and Spanish in the fall of 2021, the Education Committee created a resource on how to help children become reading-ready. “Reading: Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten” is a short, easy-to-read guide offering information and recommendations at various stages of a child’s development from birth to age four. It is available in English and Spanish. Thanks to the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry for a grant to fund printing of the guides. You can view, download or print the guides by clicking below:
Preparing your child for Kindergarten – English version
Preparing your child for Kindergarten – Spanish version
Resource Guide for Early Grade Reading
In October 2020, the Education Committee completed a new resource guide: Collaborate from Birth to Eight for Early Grade Reading. This guide identifies information and resources that are available in Beaufort County. It is available in both English and Spanish Versions. Click below to see the guide in English or Spanish:
Collaborate from Birth to Eight for Early Grade Reading
Guîa informativa desde el nacimiento a hasta la edad de ocho años en la etapa temprana de lectura
The Education Committee has released a video of Dr. Bruce Marlowe, PhD. speaking about the Collaborative Reading Program, a project of the committee and promoting the importance of early reading experiences. He is the head of the Department of Education at USCB and a member of the GIC.
Childcare Task Force Report
The report reviews the current status of Beaufort County childcare with information from childcare providers, government agencies, non-profit organizations and childcare professionals. It describes the deficiencies in the availability of affordable, quality childcare which needs to have, adequate capacity, a safe, secure and healthy environment, educational and enrichment components, convenient location and transportation and needed hours of operation.
In addition to explaining the impact of childcare deficiencies on working parents, children, businesses and all those who depend on services (nurses, retail clerks, hospitality workers, fireman, teachers, etc.) the report offers recommendations to improve the availability of childcare in the county. Download the full report here.
Education Directory
In the summer of 2019 the committee composed an inventory of area-wide Educational Opportunities from birth to life-long programs. The initiative was viewed as an important foundation for future work of the GIC and the Education committee to support current opportunities and identify areas of unserved needs. The committee members also believe it serves as a valuable resource for GIC and the greater community in our continual work to improve the educational opportunities for residents of our area.
The inventory was completed is a dynamic document. It represents the research completed by committee members in its effort to compile a comprehensive list of Educational Opportunities.
Click below to see the Education Directory:
Educational Opportunities in Beaufort, SC
Referendum 2019
The committee recommended to the Executive Committee that the GIC support Referendum 2019. The Executive committee approved and recommended to the GIC general membership that the GIC support Referendum 2019. At its October meeting, the General Membership approved the recommendation of the Executive Committee.