2025 Act No. 30, SECTION 4, provides that this section remains effective until June 30, 2030, unless extended by the General Assembly.
(A)The Department of Education is directed to establish a five-year pilot program by May 1, 2025, that will permit a school to hire noncertified teachers in a ratio of up to ten percent of its entire teaching staff. This pilot does not include individuals seeking employment as work-based, career, and technical education teachers. The State Board of Education, through the Department of Education, shall approve guidelines that at a minimum include the following:
(1)the requirement that a noncertified teacher must possess a suitable baccalaureate or graduate degree for the position he is hired to teach and must have at least five years of relevant workplace
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2025 Act No. 30, SECTION 4, provides that this section remains effective until June 30, 2030, unless extended by the General Assembly. (A) The Department of Education is directed to establish a five-year pilot program by May 1, 2025, that will permit a school to hire noncertified teachers in a ratio of up to ten percent of its entire teaching staff. This pilot does not include individuals seeking employment as work-based, career, and technical education teachers. The State Board of Education, through the Department of Education, shall approve guidelines that at a minimum include the following: (1) the requirement that a noncertified teacher must possess a suitable baccalaureate or graduate degree for the position he is hired to teach and must have at least five years of relevant workplace experience; (2) procedures for requiring noncertified teachers to participate in the evaluation process pursuant to Section 59-26-30(B)(4) and (5); (3) initial and ongoing training and support requirements; and (4) the requirement that a noncertified teacher must demonstrate enrollment in an educator certification program within three years of employment, including any state-approved alternative or traditional route program. (B) Participation in the pilot program is optional, and the decision to participate rests solely with the Department of Education and the school principal, upon approval of the district superintendent. Participating schools and districts are encouraged to collaborate on recruitment, training, and implementation of the pilot program and to assist the Department of Education with establishing best practices. (C) The Department of Education shall establish a separate code in the professional coding system to capture noncertified teachers and shall continue to report this information on school report cards. (D) Beginning November 1, 2026, the Department of Education shall submit an annual report that includes recommendations for improving, expanding, or continuing the pilot program to the General Assembly. The annual status report submitted by November 1, 2029, shall include a recommendation regarding continuance of the program beyond June 30, 2030. (E)(1) The Department of Education shall establish procedures for the registration, clearance, and approval of all noncertified teachers working in any public school pursuant to this section. Teachers shall submit the required documentation and fees to the Department of Education, which shall include, but are not limited to: (a) a completed registration form; (b) any associated fee; and (c) transcripts, which shall be subject to review. (2) An individual applying for registration as a noncertified teacher must undergo a state criminal records check, supported by fingerprints, by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and a national criminal records check, supported by fingerprints, by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The results of these criminal record checks must be reported to the Department of Education. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are authorized to retain the fingerprints for identification and certification purposes and for notification of the department regarding criminal charges. Costs of conducting a criminal history background check must be borne by the applicant. The Department of Education shall keep information received pursuant to this section confidential, except that such information may be disclosed to the State Board of Education as may be necessary. The results of these criminal record checks must not be shared outside the department. (3) An individual whose South Carolina educator certificate has been suspended or revoked shall not be employed as a noncertified teacher during the term of suspension or revocation. If a noncertified teacher is dismissed, resigns, or is otherwise separated from employment with a district following allegations of misconduct, the district superintendent shall report to the Chair of the State Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Education the educator's name and registration information. Upon a finding of just cause as defined in Section 59-25-160, the State Board of Education is authorized to revoke the noncertified teacher's registration. (F) The Department of Education shall not add a full-time equivalent (FTE) position or partial FTE position to implement the provisions of this section.