About
Our Purpose
The Palmetto Education Summit serves as a catalyst for positive change by fostering a unified vision among diverse sectors.We believe that when leaders are aligned, their collective actions become coherent, impactful, and sustainable. This coherence creates a virtuous cycle:
Through this cycle, we aim not only to improve educational outcomes but also to inspire a future where every student is empowered to succeed. Together, we are committed to creating lasting change that benefits our students, communities, and the entire state of South Carolina.
The Five Content Tracks
The mission of the South Carolina Department of Education is to serve students, support teachers, empower parents, and engage in the community so that every student graduates prepared to reach their full potential.
The Palmetto Education Summit brings together South Carolina’s education, business, and community leaders to deliver real results for students. Rooted in a shared commitment to excellence, alignment, high support, and expectation, the summit focuses on proven strategies that help every student graduate prepared for the next step – be it college, career, or military service.
Through five core content tracks, participants will gain actionable insights, learn from leaders in the field, and collaborate on strategies that support strong hearts, strong minds, and strong bodies for South Carolina students.
CAREER READINESS
Career Readiness sessions focus on preparing students for high-demand careers by strengthening Career and Technical Education and aligning learning with workforce needs. Attendees will explore innovative, future-ready pathways that connect classroom instruction to real-world skills, economic opportunity, and long-term prosperity for South Carolina.
Sessions will explore:
- Industry Partnerships
- Work-Based Learning
- Military and Technical Career Pathways
- Emerging Technologies and Automation in the Workplace
- Student/Teacher Innovation Showcase
Character & Resiliency in Education (CARE) & Student Wellness
These sessions equip attendees with practical strategies to build character, resilience, and healthy habits that support both academic and personal growth. The focus is on helping students develop integrity, perseverance, and balance—skills that strengthen engagement, motivation, and long-term success.
Sessions will explore:
Practical classroom integration of Character and Resiliency Education (CARE) Program
- Leader in Me
- Congressional Medal of Honor Society Character Development Program
- iLead Leadership Training
- Maxwell Leadership Curriculum
Student Wellness for Learning
- Nutrition and Physical Activity Programs to Support Cognitive Performance
- USDA-funded School Initiatives
- Digital Balance
- Creative Engagement
- ScreenStrong
- Free to Focus
- Let Grow
CIVICS
Civics sessions prepare attendees to nurture informed, responsible citizens who understand and value our democratic institutions. Through a focus on South Carolina’s history and civic traditions, these sessions support student leadership, integrity, and active participation in civic life.
Sessions will explore:
- Palmetto Civics Project Spotlight
- Palmetto Civics Showcase, featuring SC’s civic education resources
- Strategies for Integrating Civics Across Disciplines
- Palmetto Pioneers Pavilion
- Resources Connecting Virtues Through Our State’s Historical Examples
- US 250, Highlighting the History and Celebration of Our Country in the Classroom.
- SC African American History Calendar Resources
NUMERACY
Numeracy sessions emphasize strengthening foundational math skills and connecting mathematics to real-world applications. Attendees will learn effective, research-based approaches that deepen understanding and prepare students for success in STEM fields and the workforce.
Sessions will explore:
- Palmetto Math Project Updates and Impacts
- Classroom Success Stories
- Closing Achievement Gaps in Early Numeracy
- Intervention for Struggling Learners
- STEM Integration Across Disciplines
- Leveraging Technology Platforms
LITERACY
Literacy sessions focus on evidence-based Science of Reading practices to ensure every student becomes a confident, proficient reader. Attendees will examine how strong literacy instruction across all grade levels supports academic achievement, workforce readiness, and engaged citizenship.
Sessions will explore:
- Science of Reading
- Strategies for Struggling Adolescent Readers
- LETRS Implementation and Impact
- Palmetto Literacy Project Success Stories and Student Transformations
- Disciplinary and Interdisciplinary Literacy
- Read to Succeed Summer Reading Camps
- Closing Achievement Gaps in Early Literacy
- Intervention for Struggling Learners