Bill > S0079

This bill establishes a five-year pilot program allowing public school districts in South Carolina to hire noncertified teachers up to ten percent of their total teaching staff, with several important requirements and safeguards. To be eligible, noncertified teachers must have a relevant bachelor's or graduate degree, possess at least five years of workplace experience, and commit to enrolling in an educator certification program within three years of employment. The program mandates that participating teachers undergo an evaluation process, receive initial and ongoing training, and submit to comprehensive background checks, including state and federal criminal records checks supported by fingerprints. Participation is voluntary and requires approval from the Department of Education, school principals, and district superintendents. The Department of Education will create a separate coding system to track these noncertified teachers, include them on school report cards, and submit annual reports to the General Assembly evaluating the program's effectiveness. The pilot program is set to run from May 1, 2025, until June 30, 2030, with a final recommendation due in November 2029 about whether to continue the program. Importantly, the bill includes provisions to protect student safety by requiring thorough background checks and establishing procedures for reporting and potentially revoking a noncertified teacher's registration if misconduct is found.

Education

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=79&session=126&summary=B