Partners in Progress: How the Wardlaw Center Supports Continuous Improvement in Spartanburg County
At Spartanburg Academic Movement (SAM), we believe meaningful change happens when schools, organizations, and community leaders work together toward a shared vision for student success. Through collective action, data-informed decision-making, and strong partnerships, SAM works to improve outcomes for children and families across Spartanburg County.
The Wardlaw Center for Improvement Science plays a critical role in that work. As one of SAM’s five centers, Wardlaw helps schools and organizations strengthen systems, solve persistent challenges, and improve outcomes through continuous improvement practices grounded in collaboration and evidence-based learning.
What does it mean to partner with Wardlaw?
When you partner with the Wardlaw Center, you gain access to a deep well of knowledge and improvement expertise through a coach who works shoulder to shoulder with you on a problem of practice that matters to you, your organization or school, and ultimately, our community.
Partnering with the Wardlaw Center for Improvement Science begins with Professional Learning and continues with ongoing Coaching Supporting, Building Community and Deepening Support for ongoing work in Spartanburg County.
Engaging in the Wardlaw Partnership Cycle is a meaningful investment in your existing work. Our goal is not to add another initiative to your plate — it is to improve the work already happening within your organization. We believe that when schools and community organizations are successful, all of Spartanburg benefits.
The Wardlaw Partnership Cycle begins with CI 101: Principles of Continuous Improvement, our foundational training session that introduces the principles of improvement science and provides a practical framework for addressing challenges that directly affect your work and those you serve. One of the key takeaways from CI 101 is the understanding that continuous improvement work is not something added to the plate — it is the plate. Improvement work invites us to pause, better understand the systems around us, investigate root causes, and test meaningful changes that lead to better outcomes for everyone.
Continuous improvement work is far more effective when done in partnership rather than in isolation. In CI 102: Tools & Methodologies for Teams, participants bring a real problem of practice and apply the continuous improvement framework in a collaborative learning environment. Teams explore the what, how, and why of improvement science within their own context while building a shared understanding of how to create sustainable change.
Following CI 102, participants are paired with a Continuous Improvement Coach from the Wardlaw Center who works alongside them, deeply invested in their specific context, staff, and goals. The next step in the partnership cycle is CI 103: Practical Measurement, which focuses on testing, measurement, and using data to drive improvement. This data-informed approach reflects SAM’s commitment to collaboration, continuous learning, and scaling successful practices for greater community impact.
A unique aspect of partnering with Wardlaw is the opportunity to connect with leaders and organizations from across Spartanburg County. These relationships strengthen collective impact efforts and create opportunities for shared learning and collaboration. Through training sessions and Huddle-style Networked Improvement Communities (NICs), partners engage in ongoing learning with others who are committed to improving outcomes for children and families.
Wardlaw is one of five centers housed within Spartanburg Academic Movement, all working together to extend the R.E.A.C.H. of improvement efforts throughout our schools and community through intentional partnership and collaboration.
The Wardlaw Center partners with all seven Spartanburg County school districts, thoughtfully bringing together the right people at the right time to deepen impact for students across our community. Together, we are examining what is working, identifying barriers, and creating opportunities to improve outcomes for all students.
At its core, the Wardlaw Center exists to help schools and organizations strengthen their capacity, improve systems, and achieve better results for children and families.
We offer support to help you increase your capacity to do your best work — and achieve the best possible outcomes for all students.
How Can We Support You?
Contact a member of the Wardlaw Center team to learn more about partnership opportunities, training sessions, and registration information available here:
https://learnwithsam.org/programs/ci