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Spartanburg 1 unveils EMPOWER initiative to expand AI, competency-based and work-based learning pilots
Summary
District staff described EMPOWER, a three-part innovation movement combining artificial intelligence tools, competency-based learning and work-based learning pilots. Board members discussed participation, equity and next steps including school visits in April.
Spartanburg School District One staff presented an overview of EMPOWER — an innovation initiative that combines artificial intelligence tools, competency-based education and work-based learning to broaden student pathways.
"EMPOWER stands for enhancing mastery, promoting opportunity with exploration and real world experience," Ms. Jody Wright told the board during the curriculum update. Wright described three components the district intends to pilot: AI-supported adaptive platforms, competency-based instruction and expanded work-based learning tied to local employers.
District staff said the AI work will build on existing platforms the district already uses. Wright named I-Ready and Amira as current tools and said the district is evaluating others for adaptive learning and automating administrative tasks, mentioning work with "Magic School" and an innovation grant that brought Dr. Jimmy Pryor to the district.
On competency-based education, Wright said pilots are under way at two schools with support from the South Carolina Department of Education and a personalized learning coach. She summarized the competencies the district is targeting — including reading critically, designing solutions, learning independently and navigating conflict — and said the model emphasizes mastery over seat time with flexible pacing and evidence-based assessments.
Wright described work-based learning pilots that place students in internships, apprenticeships and industry simulations. She cited one Chapman High School student doing a communications internship and said partners such as 1 Spartanburg and Spartanburg Regional have expanded employer opportunities for students.
Board members asked how students will be selected for work-based learning and whether existing career programs would be affected. Wright said the district is "starting small" to build capacity and that the goal is for every student graduating from the district's high schools to have at least one work-based learning experience over time. "It's our goal for everybody to have that opportunity across the board," a board member said.
Wright said the EMPOWER team comprises 43 members and that the board and staff will tour pilot schools in April to see classroom implementations of Amira, the bridal resource cited by staff, and local site work-based learning in action. Additional briefings on each EMPOWER component will be provided to the board as pilots progress.
Why it matters: District leaders told trustees the package is intended to broaden postsecondary and workforce readiness beyond traditional measures of academic ranking by emphasizing transferable skills employers say candidates need.
Next steps: The board was asked to receive the update; staff will return with more-detailed briefings and a site visit in April to observe pilots in action.
