Teachers at Rice Elementary School were recently recognized for their outstanding efforts in helping students make significant academic growth through the South Carolina Department of Education’s Excellence in Teaching Awards pilot program.
22 Rice Elementary educators collectively received over $200,000 in performance-based bonuses, recognizing their commitment to improving student achievement in reading and math during the 2024–2025 school year.
The pilot program, initiated by the South Carolina Department of Education, is designed to reward teachers in high-poverty schools whose students demonstrate measurable growth on standardized assessments. District 50 submitted five elementary schools and one middle school that met the criteria for participation in the state pilot, with Rice Elementary selected by the state as the district’s representative site.
“This recognition is a reflection of the hard work, dedication, and instructional excellence our teachers demonstrate each and every day,” said Superintendent Mr. Shane Goodwin. “Rice Elementary serves as an example of what is possible and is being done in all of our elementary schools when a school community works together to ensure all students achieve academic success. We are extremely proud of their accomplishments.”
Teachers were eligible for bonuses based on both student proficiency and academic growth from the beginning to the end of the school year. K5 - 3rd-grade teachers' bonuses were based on NWEA MAP scores, and 4th and 5th-grade teachers’ bonuses were based on SC READY scores. The incentive model aims to recognize and retain high-performing educators who have a measurable impact on student learning.
“Rice Elementary continues to exemplify what great teaching looks like,” said Rice Elementary Principal Anna Haynes. “Our staff embraced this opportunity not for the bonuses, but for the challenge of ensuring that every student grows academically. The recognition is simply a reflection of their dedication to student success.”
Greenwood School District 50 will continue to monitor the program’s outcomes and collaborate with the South Carolina Department of Education as the state evaluates the future of performance-based teacher compensation models.