COUNTY — A Pickens County educator will be part of the team that shapes South Carolina’s new math standards.

Janice Ward, the coordinator of secondary education for the School District of Pickens County, was one of 19 educators selected by the South Carolina Department of Education to help write the new state math standards.

Janice Ward

A total of 365 educators were nominated to serve on the teams to write the new English and math standards, and the SCDE chose applicants based on their level of expertise and ensured the team represented the diversity found across the state and in its schools.

“I was honored and excited to have the opportunity to serve,” Ward said. “We had a very positive and productive first meeting on July 21, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the writing process.”

“This team represents the best and brightest in the field of math around our state,” said Dr. Mick Zais, South Carolina Superintendent of Education. “The charge of the General Assembly was tough, but clear: develop new, high-level, college- and career-ready standards that meet the needs of South Carolina students. Given the level of talent and experience these educators have, I am confident they are up to the task.”

The new standards are scheduled to go before the State Board of Education for final approval in March 2015. They will be implemented starting in the 2015-2016 school year. South Carolina will still use Common Core State Standards during the upcoming 2014-2015 school year.