The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE), in partnership with the Institute for Self-Directed Learning, has selected the Colquitt County School District (CCSD) as one of only ten districts in the state to join the inaugural Innovative Learning Model Cohort. This initiative empowers local districts to design flexible, responsive school models that meet the specific needs of their students and families.
"We are excited to be part of Georgia's first Innovative Learning Model Cohort," said Colquitt County School Superintendent Dan Chappuis. "This opportunity allows us to rethink how learning happens in our schools by creating student-centered experiences that will prepare students for success in the future. Through this work, our students will have access to innovative instructional approaches, expanded course options, and real-world learning opportunities that connect learning to future careers."
Addressing the Rural Healthcare Gap
Colquitt County's project focuses on developing an advanced medical sciences pathway, created in deep partnership with PCOM South Georgia and Colquitt Regional Health Systems. This initiative arrives at a critical time for South Georgia, where 84 of Georgia's 85 rural counties are designated as Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas.
By creating a rigorous medical sciences pathway, CCSD aims to cultivate a local workforce of healthcare professionals who are statistically more likely to return and practice in their home communities. "This collaboration is an intentional innovative solution to the problem of the Physician shortage seen in Colquitt and surrounding counties," said Dr. Jason Walker, Associate Professor of Physiology, PCOM South Georgia.
"Building the foundation of medicine in K-12 provides the necessary roots for growth for our community and also the next generation of future doctors. This is the 'why' for PCOM being in the community and collaborating in this effort."
A Vision for Academic Excellence
The new model will provide a "Tier 1" research university experience within the public school system. Key features of the program include:
- Clinical Integration: Advanced mathematics and sciences taught through a clinical lens with PCOM faculty serving as guest lecturers and mentors.
- Student Attraction and Retention: Providing high-achieving students with access to a world-class, local academic program that offers rigorous collegiate preparation and unique career advantages.
- Community Co-Design: An engagement model that involves families and students in the development of the pathway to ensure it meets local aspirations.
The Road Ahead
Over the coming year, a dedicated CCSD project team—led by Project Director Dr. Allen Edwards and including administrators, curriculum directors, and PCOM leadership—will participate in professional learning and site visits to refine the blueprint for this innovative model. "What excites me most about this partnership is that it gives Georgia districts practical support to create schools that truly fit their communities, where families will be able to say, 'This school feels like it was designed for us and prepares our children with real skills for real life,'" added Dr. Tyler Thigpen, co-founder and Head of the Institute for Self-Directed Learning.
CCSD joins a cohort of districts, including Henry, Houston, and Savannah-Chatham County Schools, in this effort to redefine the future of public education in Georgia. For the Georgia Department of Education's press release, visit https://gadoe.org/contact/press-releases/.