Expanding CarolinaTIP's Impact on Teacher Retention Across South Carolina
Power:Ed, the philanthropy arm of SC Student Loan Corporation, continues to strengthen South Carolina’s educator workforce through strategic investments in the Carolina Teacher Induction Program (CarolinaTIP), a proven initiative designed to support and retain novice teachers across the state.
Founded in 2019, Power:Ed is dedicated to creating opportunities for South Carolina’s youth and adults by supporting low-income, minority and first-generation students, improving access to college and degree completion and building pathways to quality workforce opportunities.
CarolinaTIP, a three-year, university-based induction program, provides comprehensive support for early-career teachers through individually responsive coaching, targeted professional development and a collaborative community of peers. Participants receive access to graduate coursework and micro-credentials at no cost, helping them build confidence and capacity in their roles. The program takes a holistic, teacher-focused approach to teacher development, complementing their school and district-level support systems.
By focusing on professional growth and emotional resiliency, CarolinaTIP equips educators to succeed in today’s classrooms. Teacher turnover remains a costly challenge especially in hard-to-staff regions. By keeping South Carolina’s educators in their roles, districts save on average $22,000 per educator replacement. These savings can be funneled toward new programs, advancements in technology and expanded professional development for all teachers in a district.
Since its inception in 2017, CarolinaTIP has demonstrated remarkable success, achieving professional retention rates for participating teachers between 93 and 100 percent, consistently outperforming state and national averages. The program serves educators from more than 30 colleges and universities, including those pursuing alternative certification pathways, ensuring broad access to high-quality induction support.
Power:Ed’s investment has played a pivotal role in expanding CarolinaTIP’s reach. In 2022, the organization awarded $100,000 to support growth in the Midlands, enabling the program to launch in new districts across Lexington and Richland counties. This funding solidified participation for eligible educators in Kershaw, Lexington and Richland counties, including districts in rural districts.
Building on that success, Power:Ed recently awarded CarolinaTIP a $300,000 multi-year grant to expand into South Carolina’s Pee Dee region, where teacher attrition rates are among the highest in the state.
“This forward-thinking gift from Power:Ed has allowed CarolinaTIP to support and serve more South Carolina teachers as we work to positively impact teacher retention,” said CarolinaTIP Director Nicole Skeen. “Thanks to the generosity of Power:Ed, the program was able to launch two cohorts of teachers across eight districts in the Pee Dee region.”
Claire Gibbons, Executive Director of Power:Ed, emphasized the broader impact of the partnership. “The 2024 award is Power:Ed’s second multi-year grant in support of USC’s CarolinaTIP program and the teachers it serves. We are so proud of the vital impact CarolinaTIP makes in lifting up novice teachers, and we have been honored to support its expansion into Pee Dee school districts. Power:Ed believes this model can be replicated across South Carolina to strengthen outcomes for teachers and students alike,” she said.
Through continued collaboration, Power:Ed and CarolinaTIP are building a stable, effective teaching workforce — one that ultimately strengthens South Carolina’s education system and expands opportunities statewide.