District presents R5 monitoring reports: CTE credentials, fine arts participation, PE and AI training for teachers highlighted

Horry County Schools staff presented the district's R5 monitoring reports covering career and technical education (CTE), fine arts, physical education (PE), instructional technology and world languages, emphasizing student participation, credentials and professional development.

The CTE report described more than 100 CTE courses and a list of instructional materials. Presenters said nearly 3,500 industry credentials were earned by high school students in the 2023–24 school year and that "over 80 percent of our CTE students earned an industry credential last year," according to the presentation.

The fine arts monitoring report showed broad participation: presenters said roughly 8,000 high school students and nearly 12,000 middle school students were enrolled in fine arts courses districtwide. Summer arts programs also had several hundred participants, and district students achieved regional, state and national recognitions during the year.

Physical education reporting noted more than 20,000 elementary students and about 10,500 middle school students participating in PE this year; the district said it exceeds the state's minimum requirement for high school physical-education credits by offering a range of courses and ROTC options.

The instructional-technology report highlighted the district's recently adopted Artificial Intelligence Position Statement and said professional development for safe, ethical AI use has been provided to teachers. According to the presentation, a recommended AI tool's "generations" from teachers rose from about 750 to more than 18,000 after training sessions; staff said teachers are currently using the tool for lesson planning, grading and generating leveled texts. "Teachers right now are using this for planning purposes and grading purposes as well," the presenter said, adding that the district has not rolled AI tools out to students yet.

The world-language report showed more than 6,500 high school enrollments in world-language courses, with Spanish accounting for about 92% of those enrollments. The report also cited growth in Seals of Biliteracy earned by graduating students.

Presenters noted curricular lists, partner businesses supporting work-based learning and district professional-development activities are posted on the district's website and available under the meeting agenda. Board members asked for additional participation counts (for internships and driver's education availability) and were told staff could provide those figures on request.

Ending: The monitoring reports were presented for board review and questions; staff said they would provide additional enrollment and participation numbers upon request.