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Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
AMENDED
March 2, 2022
H. 3590
S. Printed 3/2/22--S. [SEC 3/2/22 2:29 PM]
Read the first time April 7, 2021.
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-18-1115 SO AS TO PROVIDE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS MAY HIRE NONCERTIFIED TEACHERS FOR ANY SCHOOLS AND CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY CENTERS THAT HAVE VACANT TEACHING POSITIONS FIVE BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, TO PROVIDE THESE NONCERTIFIED TEACHERS MAY COMPRISE NO MORE THAN TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT OF THE ENTIRE TEACHING STAFF OF A SCHOOL OR CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER, TO PROVIDE ACADEMIC AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR THESE NONCERTIFIED TEACHERS, AND TO PROVIDE RELATED REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING THE REGISTRATION AND TERMINATION OF THESE NONCERTIFIED TEACHERS.
Amend Title To Conform
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. (A) The Department of Education is directed to establish a pilot program by May 1, 2023, that will permit a school that has received an overall rating of "Excellent," "Below Average," or "Unsatisfactory" on its annual report card for at least two consecutive years, or is located in a critical geographic area as defined in Section 59-26-20(j), to hire noncertified teachers in a ratio of up to ten percent of its entire teaching staff. In order to effect the establishment of the pilot program, the State Board of Education, through the Department of Education, shall approve guidelines that at a minimum shall include the following:
(1) a noncertified teacher must possess a baccalaureate or graduate degree in the subject he is hired to teach and must have at least five years of relevant workplace experience;
(2) procedures are provided for noncertified teachers to participate in the evaluation process pursuant to Section 59-26-30(B)(4) and (5); and
(3) training is required to ensure that noncertified teachers are prepared to enter the classroom;
(4) a noncertified teacher teaching a core subject must demonstrate enrollment in a 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, 2024, the Department of Education shall submit an annual report that includes recommendations for improving, expanding, or continuing the pilot program to the General Assembly. At the end of the five-year pilot program, the annual status report shall include a recommendation regarding continuance of the program.
(E)(1) The Department of Education shall establish procedures for the registration and clearance of all noncertified educators working in any public school pursuant to this section. Educators 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;
(c) transcripts, which shall be subject to review; and
(d) FBI, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification Clearinghouse checks.
(2) An educator whose South Carolina educator certificate has been suspended or revoked shall not be employed as a noncertified teacher. If a noncertified teacher commits an offense covered by the Code of Conduct as promulgated by the State Board of Education, then the State Board of Education is authorized to revoke the educator's registration.
SECTION 2. Nothing contained in this section may be construed to repeal, replace, or preclude application of any other statute.
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
This web page was last updated on March 2, 2022 at 2:40 PM