S 79 — Noncertified Teacher Pilot Program

2025-2026 Bill 79 Text of Previous Version (Feb.(Dec.

26,11, 2025)2024) - South Carolina Legislature Online South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026Bill 79Indicates Matter StrickenIndicates New Matter(Text matches printed bills.

Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.) Indicates  Matter  Stricken  Indicates  New  Matter    Committee  ReportA Februarybill 26,  2025TO  AMEND S.THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-18-1115 SO AS TO ESTABLISH A PILOT PROGRAM TO PERMIT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO HIRE NONCERTIFIED TEACHERS IN A RATIO UP TO TEN PERCENT OF ITS ENTIRE TEACHING STAFF, TO PROVIDE ACADEMIC, EVALUATION, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS, TO FURTHER THE PROGRAM FOR ANNUAL PROGRAM REPORTING, AND TO PROVIDE NONCERTIFIED TEACHER REGISTRATION AND CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS.

79   Introduced by Senators Hembree and Zell   S.

Printed 2/26/25--S.

Read the first time January 14, 2025   ________   The committee on Senate Education To whom was referred a Bill (S.

79) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 59-18-1115 so as to establish a pilot program to permit public school districts to hire noncertified teachers, etc., respectfully Report:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:

      Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 1, by striking Section 59-18-1115(A) and inserting:

    (A) The Department of Education is directed to establish a five-year pilot program by May 1, 2025, 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.

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.

Amend the bill further, SECTION 1, by striking Section 59-18-1115(D) and inserting:

    (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.

At the end of the five-year pilot program, the The annual status report submitted by November 1, 2029 shall include a recommendation regarding continuance of the program beyond June 30, 2030.

Amend the bill further, SECTION 1, by striking Section 59-18-1115(E)(1) and (2) and inserting:

    (E)(1) The Department of Education shall establish procedures for the registration, and  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.;

and            (d) FBI, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification Clearinghouse checks.

       (2) An individual 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 non-certified teacher's registration 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 records 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 § 59-25-160, the State Board of Education is authorized to revoke the noncertified teacher's registration.

Amend the bill further, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:

SECTION X.

Chapter 3, Title 23 of the S.C.

Code is amended by adding:

    Section 23-3-90.