Using Data to Spark Change in Spartanburg
Overview
In Spartanburg County, S.C., Cradle to Career Network member Spartanburg Academic Movement (SAM) uses data to put more young people on a path to economic opportunity.
To support SAM’s partnership with school districts, StriveTogether led a continuous improvement workshop for Spartanburg educators. A pilot program providing continuous improvement coaching to teachers led to measurable progress across four schools. The result was supported teachers, energized students and better outcomes
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Continuous improvement unlocks opportunity
This methodology enables communities to turn data into better strategies, smarter decisions and targeted investments.
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Data use leads to big gains
Across four schools in Spartanburg, third-grade reading proficiency increased more than 60% in 2019.
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Improvements span student outcomes
One school saw a decrease in discipline referrals from 600 to 700 per year to fewer than 450.
Continuous improvement is a science — a problem-solving method that is data driven and uses tools to make improvement. It’s about taking big goals and breaking them down into small, actionable goals, evaluating frequently and course-correcting when necessary.
Mendy Mossbrook, director of continuous improvement at Spartanburg Academic Movement
Spartanburg, South Carolina
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