Coker Places Fifth at Coker Spring Invitational

by Christian Stryker, SID Coker College

Myrtle Beach, S.C. - The #29 ranked St. Edward's University Hilltoppers remained at the top of the leader board in the Coker College Spring Invitational at the Grande Dunes Golf Resort in Myrtle Beach, S.C., thanks to a pair of under par rounds from Matthew Hatcher and Collin Mayer. Hatcher took home medalist honors with a two day total of 142 (-2), while Mayer took second place with a 143 (-1), Anderson University's Adam Sheriff finished in third at 145 (+1).

Following behind St. Edward's was UNC-Pembroke in second place (606), with Dallas Baptist in third (610). Post University (615) came in fourth, followed by host Coker (622) and Anderson in a tie for fifth, with Newman (625), Erskine (633) and Tri-County Tech (665) finishing out the field of nine.

Individually for Coker, John LaDow (Pottstown, PA) was the leader in ninth place with an eight over 152, followed by Chris Marsh (Georgetown, SC) with a 10 over 154. Jared Crane (Greenville, SC) was next at 158 (+14), with Diego Polo (Guatemala City, Guatemala) and Patrick Kirby (Paris, Ontario) rounding out the field shooting 159 (+15) and 165 (+21) respectively.

The Cobras will take to the links again on Feb. 23, when they travel to Savannah, Ga., for the AASU Pirate Invitational.

South Carolina online learning program ranks 17th in nation

South Carolina is ranked 17th in a new survey of online learning policies and practices across the 50 states. The survey was conducted by the Center for Digital Education to examine what it called “the overall landscape of online learning in U.S. schools.”

The center’s findings are based on interviews with officials from each state. The survey found that 15 states (including South Carolina) offer state-led programs, while 16 states provide multi-district online learning. Two states are in the planning stages and 17 presently have no online program.

Other southern states with high rankings include Arkansas and Louisiana at fourth and fifth, respectively; North Carolina, ranked eighth; and Virginia, listed in 12th place. Alabama is 23rd and Georgia is 26th.

State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex pushed for expansion of South Carolina’s virtual school program for online learning in 2007 as part of his plan to offer students and parents more public school choice.

“The virtual school gives more choices and flexibility in what, when and where students learn,” Rex said. “We’ve shown that the demand for online classes can be met without sacrificing quality or accountability. It’s a great example of using innovation to improve student achievement.”

South Carolina has enrolled nearly 7,400 students for online learning, with enrollment growth of 350 percent since the beginning of the program. The state earned favorable marks in the survey for allowing all students to have access to online learning opportunities, for making online learning part of school reform strategy, and for offering teacher training online.

Unlike the online learning programs offered in some other states, South Carolina’s virtual school has a structured curriculum aligned to state standards, state-certified teachers, testing and transcripts.

The Center for Digital Education said its survey and rankings show that online education will become more prevalent as states and school districts continue to face the challenges of meeting student achievement levels, finding qualified teachers and preparing the next generation for
careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.