To address critical teaching
shortages in
Eligibility Criteria
The following criteria must be met:
1. An earned bachelor’s degree (or higher) from a regionally accredited college or university or an institution with a teacher education program that has been approved by the South Carolina State Board of Education for certification purposes, with a major in a certification area for which the State Board of Education has determined there exists a critical shortage of teachers. Click here for a Major Equivalency Form.
2. A passing score on the content area examination(s) adopted by the State Board of Education.
3. Two years full-time work experience. This is defined as two years of postsecondary work experience that includes one continuous year of full time work and no more than one year of combined part-time work experience.
4.
Employment as a full- or part-time teacher in a
Statement of Eligibility
The statement of eligibility indicates to a school district that the candidate meets academic, content area examination, and work experience qualifications for admission to PACE. The candidate must obtain a teaching position in the area(s) for which he/she is eligible for PACE and complete the next available preservice institute to be eligible for a critical needs certificate. The statement of eligibility is valid for one school year (July 1–June 30).
Verification of Employment
When a candidate obtains a position, the school district must verify employment with the Office of Teacher Certification. This verification must include the signature of the designated school district official and the signature of the PACE candidate. The candidate will then be enrolled in the next available preservice institute.
PACE Program Requirements
To be eligible to continue in
the program, PACE candidates must complete the following requirements. All
requirements must be completed while employed in a
A. Candidates will successfully complete the program designed to prepare them for the instructional environment. The program components will include, but not be limited to, training institutes, designated course requirements, and professional development meetings.
An initial
critical needs teaching certificate will be issued after the eligible candidate
has presented passing scores on the content area examination(s) adopted by the
State Board of Education, is employed in a
To be eligible for a professional certificate, PACE candidates will successfully complete requirements as follows.
B.
Candidates will complete three successful years
of teaching in a
C. Candidates will successfully complete three courses from the list of core courses approved by the Division of Teacher Quality on behalf of the State Board of Education. Courses identified for individual teachers will be based on the individual’s experience, knowledge, and skills.
The three
required courses must be completed for college credit with an assigned grade of
B or better. Courses must be completed
at a
D. Candidates will earn a passing score on the appropriate level of the pedagogy Praxis II examination, Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT), prior to advancing to the professional certificate.
Teaching Assignment
Teachers with alternative
program
If a candidate is employed as a part-time teacher, the teaching position must be at least a .5 full-time equivalency with 100 percent of their teaching time in one subject area.
District Supervision and Evaluation
The school district must issue
employment contracts, supervise, and evaluate the candidate in accordance with
all State Board of Education regulations and guidelines for Assisting,
Developing, and Evaluating Professional Teaching (ADEPT). Consistent with the
ADEPT regulation (R. 43-205.1), a candidate must not receive a continuing
contract until he or she has completed all PACE requirements and is eligible to
advance to professional
Released Time
The employing district shall provide a substitute teacher and released time with pay for mentor teachers to observe and coach the candidates at least three times during the first year and two times during the second year. The content liaison (teacher, district supervisor and/or institution or site program supervisor) will observe and coach the teacher at least twice during the first year.
Annual Renewal
A critical needs certificate is
valid for one school year and will be renewed for two consecutive years upon
annual recommendation by the on-site instructors for the State Department of
Education alternative
Eligibility for a Professional Certificate
In order to be issued a
professional certificate, a candidate must meet the following criteria:
continuous employment as a teacher for three years; successful completion of
all required institutes; recommendation for
Candidates who do not complete the program within the three academic years due to extenuating circumstances may apply for a one-time extension of one academic year. If approved, all program requirements must be completed within the fourth academic year.
A candidate that withdraws from the PACE program within the first three academic years based on extenuating circumstances may reapply for admission. Readmission is at the discretion of the State Department of Education. A teacher readmitted to the PACE Program may be required to start the program from the beginning.
Candidates who have their certificates suspended or revoked or who have had a breach of contract will not be allowed to continue or be readmitted to the program.
Exceptions
Request for exceptions to these guidelines may be considered on an individual basis. Such exceptions must be proposed by the school district. Final approval rests with the State Department of Education.