For Immediate Release
April 15, 2026
From the Office of Communications
Phone: 803.435.4435
Clarendon County School District Announces Acceptance into SCDE Pilot Program
Partnership Aims to Recognize and Retain Effective Educators through Enhanced Compensation Initiatives
Manning, SC – The Clarendon County School District is thrilled to announce that Manning Junior High School and Scott's Branch Middle School have been selected to participate in the South Carolina Department of Education's (SCDE) Strategic Compensation Pilot Program. This initiative is designed to recognize and retain effective educators by linking compensation to student academic growth.
The Strategic Compensation Pilot Program is funded by the General Assembly with the goal of enhancing the quality of education through improved teacher retention. The program will measure educator effectiveness using academic growth data as the primary indicator for teacher awards.
Both Manning Junior High School and Scott's Branch Middle School will implement the SC Ready Model, focusing on grades 6-8 in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math. This model aims to incentivize high-quality teaching and engage students in meaningful learning experiences.
"We are excited to be part of the SCDE's Strategic Compensation Pilot Program," said Dr. Shawn Johnson, Superintendent. "This partnership underscores our commitment to supporting our dedicated educators while ensuring that our students receive the highest quality instruction. By recognizing teachers for their effectiveness, we are fostering an environment of excellence that benefits our entire community."
The District looks forward to the opportunity to collaborate with the SCDE and utilize the findings from this pilot program to continue enhancing educational practices and support for both educators and students.
For more information about the Strategic Compensation Pilot Program and its impact on Clarendon County schools, please contact the Office of Communications at the Clarendon County School District.
About Clarendon County School District
The Clarendon County School District is dedicated to providing a high-quality education for all students while nurturing an encouraging and enriching learning environment. With a continuous focus on collaboration and innovation, the district strives to enhance educational opportunities for its community.
The printable version can be found HERE.
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Media Contact:
Dr. Keisa Carr
Director of Communications and Community Relations