Centers of Excellence for Math Education
Centers of Excellence for Math Education supports centers that prepare pre-service teachers and tutor Grades 1–5 students, strengthening math instruction in rural and underperforming schools.
Funder: South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
Due Dates: September 29, 2026 (Intent to Submit) | September 30, 2026 (Required workshop) | November 6, 2026 (Full proposal)
Funding Amounts: Up to $85,000 per center per year for three years; three centers planned
Summary: Supports elementary math education centers that prepare pre-service teachers and provide structured tutoring for students in Grades 1–5.
Key Information: Applicants must be full-time tenure-track faculty at eligible South Carolina institutions with fully accredited educator preparation programs.
Description
The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE) administers this opportunity through its Centers of Excellence for Teacher Education program, funded under the South Carolina Education Improvement Act of 1984. The program establishes resource centers that improve teacher education by developing and modeling teaching practices, conducting research, sharing information, and training P–12 and higher education personnel. Its work concentrates on rural and underperforming schools and districts.
CHE plans to support three Centers of Excellence for Math Education in FY 2026–27. Each center will prepare pre-service teachers to integrate higher-order thinking and mathematical reasoning into instruction for Grades 1–5, while providing structured mathematics tutoring to students in those grades who need additional academic support. Proposals incorporating the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract instructional approach receive priority.
