The South Carolina Department of Education announced 22 programs in 15 South Carolina school districts will receive approximately $720,000 for summer academic and career development projects to combat  “summer reading loss.”
The awards will assist approximately 1,800 students with proven academic deficiencies, particularly in reading and math.
Among the recipients was Dillon District Three (Latta) for their program, “Project ENGAGE: Encouraging the Next Generation’s Academic success by Getting Them Engaged.”
To be eligible to receive the awards, districts were required to certify that they do not have state or federal funds available to offer summer programs to eligible students  who attend the proposed schools.
Without these funds, which were made available through the Education and Economic Development Act, selected students would not receive free summer assistance.
 Each program will last three to four weeks. Certified teachers will  lead the summer programs, which will have a 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio or less.