Personalized Learning at Horry County

The Challenge

Despite outperforming most districts in the state, HCS realized they could do more to raise academic achievement for all students. After piloting several digital content providers, HCS noticed that the timely data and feedback to students helped boost student performance. They wanted to provide greater access to technology to all of their students, but wanted to ensure the technology would be used to better meet student needs. At the same time, they want to increase student collaboration, creativity and the skills needed for the profile of a South Carolina graduate.

How We Helped

Education Elements worked with HCS to develop a personalized learning instructional model and support plan for one pilot middle school. After seeing success at that school, Education Elements has supported HCS in rolling out personalized learning across all schools in the district - first in their middle schools, then high schools, and finally in their elementary schools. The work included designing instructional models focused on The Core Four of personalized learning, selecting district-wide digital content, and creating district expectations and support structures. 

For the last two years, Education Elements has supported HCS in going deeper into two key areas of personalized learning - targeted small group instruction, and collaboration and creativity. 

"When we started with Education Elements they came in and worked on an initial background analysis to figure out: What did we need to do? What was the infrastructure like? Education Elements was great and helped us go step-by-step through a process."

John Washburn
Principal, Myrtle Beach High School
Horry County Schools