February 20, 2006

COLUMBIA, SC – Today, Columbia College, Clemson University and the S.C. Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) announced a new collaboration to help teachers transform “at risk” students into engaged learners in South Carolina’s classrooms. Many students who are labeled “at risk,” are actually above average in intelligence. They simply do not connect with traditional teaching methods and begin a downward spiral of disruptive behavior.

Columbia College’s Master of Education in Divergent Learning program is designed specifically for this population. The program allows educators to develop a more in-depth comprehension of at-risk, divergent learners and learn alternative instructional methods and strategies to help them succeed. The Divergent Learning graduate program for educators is a one-of-a-kind program in the United States.

Through the collaboration, an Aiken cohort of graduate students pursuing the groundbreaking Divergent Learning M.Ed. program, will complete coursework and have access to a “living laboratory” of students at the Youth Development Center (YDC) at the W.W. Long Leadership Center in Aiken, SC. The YDC, a partnership program of Clemson University’s Youth Learning Institute and DJJ, is a 45-bed facility for non-violent juvenile offenders.

Columbia College President Caroline Whitson said, “We are indeed excited about collaborating with Clemson University and the Department of Juvenile Justice. The strength of Columbia College’s education program, together with the important work of Clemson University and DJJ, is a powerful collaboration that will prepare more educators to lead
and inspire in South Carolina classrooms and beyond.”

Disturbing schools the number one violation for most students at the YDC, and many have a history of failure in traditional classroom settings. This makes them a prime audience for exposure to Divergent Learning theory and applications. Graduate students will literally be able to walk out of a lecture and immediately into an environment where theory can be applied and tested.

“Clemson University’s Youth Learning Institute, Columbia College and DJJ are creating a model for higher education of the future. The collaboration provides an “out-of-the-box” approach that combines teaching, direct application of subject matter, and opportunities for research. We have the opportunity to produce educators who will be better prepared than ever to help all students learn,” said Dr. John Kelly, vice president of Clemson University PSA.

The Youth Learning Institute, a unit of Clemson University Public Service Activities (PSA), operates the Youth Development Center in partnership with DJJ. The YDC is one of several
accomplishments of the DJJ/Clemson University partnership, and is the first of its kind among alternative placement programs in South Carolina. 

“This partnership will be a great benefit to DJJ,” said DJJ Director Bill Byars. “But, more importantly, it will benefit the state of South Carolina and our youth who learn best outside of the traditional classroom.  We are very grateful to Clemson University and Columbia College for this partnership, and their ongoing assistance. We continue to seek collaborations to benefit the troubled youth of this state.’’