Research has shown that the single greatest factor influencing student achievement is teacher quality.
The South Carolina Centers of Excellence program is a competitive grant program funded through the South Carolina Education Improvement Act of 1984 that enables eligible institutions, or groupings of such institutions, to serve as state-of-the-art resource centers for the state in a specific area related to the improvement of teacher education with a concentration on assisting rural, underperforming schools and districts. These resource centers develop and model state-of-the-art teaching practices, conduct research, disseminate information, and provide training for P-12 and higher education personnel in a center's specific area of expertise.
The centers promote a variety of programs and services, including:
- Alternative educator certification programs to prepare teachers to teach in high-need areas
- Professional development programs
- Research on teacher education and professional development
- Teacher retention and recruitment
- Leadership development and training at rural schools
- Retention and recruitment of diverse educators
Each year, centers must report back to the CHE on program progress. Institutions may also propose new centers during the grant proposal window.
New Centers of Excellence Opportunities for FY 2026–27
We are pleased to announce two new opportunities through the Centers of Excellence initiative for FY 2026–27:
Centers of Excellence for Math Education
CHE is accepting proposals to establish Centers of Excellence for Math Education, each housed at an eligible institution to equip pre-service teachers with the pedagogical knowledge and skills needed to integrate higher-order thinking and mathematical reasoning into instruction for students in Grades 1–5. The Centers will focus on preparing pre-service teachers while providing structured mathematics tutoring for students in Grades 1–5 who need additional academic support. Priority will be given to proposals that incorporate the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (CPA) instructional approach.
Center of Excellence for AI-Enhanced Educator Preparation
CHE is accepting proposals to develop a Center of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence (AI) -Enhanced Educator Preparation to prepare pre-service teachers to effectively, ethically, and responsibly integrate AI into PK–12 instruction through clinical experiences. The Center shall develop, implement, and evaluate an AI-enhanced clinical practice model that strengthens instructional decision-making, enhances candidates' reflective practice and self-assessment, and expands the capacity of educator preparation programs to provide timely, individualized feedback and coaching under the guidance of university supervisors and PK–12 mentor teachers. Expected outcomes include evidence-based guidelines and best practices for the ethical and responsible use of AI in PK–12 instruction and educator preparation, emphasizing sound professional judgment in instructional planning, assessment, student data privacy, and decision-making.
Interested applicants are required to submit an Intent to Submit Form and must participate in the Technical Assistance Workshop.
Related Forms:
Timeline:
- Intent to Submit Form Due: September 25
- Technical Assistance Workshop: 2 - 4 p.m., September 30
- Proposal Deadline: November 6
Science of Reading Seminar
CHE is accepting registrations for the Science of Reading Seminar, designed to support educator preparation faculty in strengthening evidence-based literacy instruction and meeting South Carolina’s Read to Succeed requirements. With the recommendation of their dean, faculty from Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education programs are encouraged to participate.
Following attendance at the seminar, participating institutions will be eligible to apply for a Resource Support Grant to purchase instructional materials and resources that support the integration of Science of Reading practices into educator preparation coursework.
- Seminar Dates: October 23, Spring 2027 (date TBD)
- Deadline for the October Seminar: October 16
- Registration: Click Here
- Additional Program Information and Application: The Science of Reading Seminar Resource Support Grant Application FY 2026–27 (PDF)
Institutions are encouraged to review the RFP and seminar materials for complete eligibility requirements, expectations, and submission instructions.
These initiatives reflect CHE’s continued commitment to supporting high-quality educator preparation and strengthening the pipeline of well-prepared educators for South Carolina schools.
Program Contact Information:
Dr. Lishu Yin, lyin@che.sc.gov, 803-856-0512
- South Carolina Centers of Excellence Websites
- Centers for Leading Education Administrator Development for Excellent Rural Schools (LEADERS) - Clemson University
- Center of Alternative Pathways for Educator Certification (APEC) - Columbia College
- Center for Teacher Retention and Induction in the Pee Dee (TRIP) - Francis Marion University
- Center of Excellence to Prepare Teacher of Children of Poverty - Francis Marion University
- Center of Alternative Pathways to Educator Certification (APEC) - Coker University
- Center for the Advancement of Reading and Literacy Instruction (CARLI) - Lander University, Presbyterian College, and USC Upstate
Coming soon:
- Teacher Leadership Development - Converse University
Previous Centers: Center for Mathematical Literacy at The Citadel; CRE2 DE at Clemson, SC-TEACHER - USC Columbia, Center of Excellence for College and Career Readiness at FMU.
- Science of Reading Resource Page
- FY 2025-26 Request for Proposal
The desired topic is the development of a Collaborative Center of Excellence for Math Education to equip pre-service teachers with fundamental pedagogical skills for integrating higher-order critical thinking and mathematical skills into instruction for grades 1–5.
The Center must establish a collaborative partnership between two higher education institutions with accredited Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) in Elementary Education. The focus should include both training pre-service teachers and providing math tutoring support to at-risk students in grades 1–5.
Priority will be given to proposals that apply the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (CPA) approach.
Important Dates
- September 26: Intent to Submit due
- September 30: Virtual Technical Assistance Workshop
- November 5: Proposal due
Related Documents:
From the Field: 2026 Center Highlights
Coker University’s APEC Program Hosts CERRA Mentor Training (July)
The Center of Excellence for the Alternative Pathway to Educator Certification (APEC) program at Coker University provided Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, & Advancement (CERRA) mentor training to 19 teachers from four partner school districts in the Pee Dee Region on July 9-10. Upon completing the training, the participants will be certified mentors for their school districts.
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FMU TRIP hosts mentoring training certification (February)
The Center of Excellence for Teacher Retention & Induction in the Pee Dee (TRIP) based at Francis Marion University provided a two-day mentor teacher last week training to 12 teachers from Marion County School District, Florence 3 District, and Darlington School District. Participants received SC Mentor Training Certification and became certified mentors, allowing them to add the credential to their certifications. TRIP fills the gap to provide high demand training in this geographic region.
- Older Center Highlights
Center Highlight (August 2025)
Coker University’s APEC Program Graduates First Cohort
The Center of Excellence for the Alternative Pathway to Educator Certification (APEC) at Coker University has prepared its first class of nine graduates to step into classrooms and make an impact from day one: the class recorded 100 percent retention, graduation and job placement rates!
Center Highlight:
Clemson LEADERS journal publication
Congratulations to the LEADERS Center of Excellence at Clemson on the publication of "Learning with and from each other: creating safe spaces in a professional community for school leadership development" in the Journal of Professional Capital and Community! (Note: Institutional domain credentials are required to access the article, it can also be reached through the PASCAL Delivers system or interlibrary loan for institutions who aren't subscribed to the required database package.)
Center Highlight:
Centers of Excellence for the Science of Reading at Lander University and Presbyterian College
The Centers of Excellence for the Science of Reading at Lander University and Presbyterian College teamed up with local school districts to offer reading tutoring services for second-grade students.
Center Highlight:
Clemson LEADERS
Participants in the LEADERS Center of Excellence, Pickens County Cohort held their first Leadership Coaching Community (LCC) Day on Oct. 25. The 11 school leaders and leadership coaches learned about using improvement science to lead change in schools that aim to increase teacher retention and student learning outcomes. They will participate in center activities for one year and share the results of their work at the Educational Leadership Summer Summit at Clemson University on June 6, 2025.
