Bill Text: SC H3465 | 2021-2022 | 124th General Assembly | Amended
Bill Title: Professional certificate
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 7-3)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2021-04-08 - Scrivener's error corrected [H3465 Detail]
Download: South_Carolina-2021-H3465-Amended.html
AMENDED
April 7, 2021
H. 3465
Introduced by Reps. Gilliam, B. Newton, Atkinson, Long, McCravy, Forrest, Caskey, Felder, Matthews and Wheeler
S. Printed 4/7/21--H. [SEC 4/8/21 2:26 PM]
Read the first time January 12, 2021.
A BILL
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-26-42 SO AS TO PROVIDE A PERSON WHO HOLDS A PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR TWENTY OR MORE YEARS AND WHO TEACHES IN THIS STATE FOR TWENTY OR MORE YEARS MAY RENEW ANNUALLY THE CERTIFICATE BY PARTICIPATING IN REQUIRED DISTRICT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT HAVING TO SATISFY ANY ADDITIONAL RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS, AND TO PROVIDE THESE PROVISIONS APPLY NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF THE CERTIFICATE RENEWAL PLAN DEVELOPED BY THE OFFICE OF TEACHER CERTIFICATION OR ANOTHER PROVISION OF LAW.
Amend Title To Conform
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. (A)(1) There is created a study committee to examine the teacher credentialing requirements in this State, the correlation between various quality levels of teacher credentials and student outcomes, and recommend policies to strengthen these credentialing requirements, teacher education programs, and the distribution of teachers with higher credentials in districts based on socioeconomic and geographic factors. The committee shall also examine the need for veteran teachers to continue to meet certificate renewal requirements and the benefits and challenges of the State requiring and funding National Board Teacher Certification.
(2) The study committee shall recommend policies to support the development of higher standards for teacher credentialing and making teachers with such credentials available in areas of greatest need. It also shall recommend if certification requirements should be required of veteran teachers and, if not, what type of professional development should be mandated. The committee shall also report its finding as to issues the General Assembly should consider regarding National Board Certification.
(B)(1) The study committee is composed of eleven members, consisting of:
(a) two members of the Senate appointed by the Chair of the Senate Education Committee;
(b) two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Chair of the House Education and Public Works Committee;
(c) two early childhood education, elementary education, or secondary education scholars or faculty members from institutions of higher learning in this State who have research and teaching experience in understanding teacher credentialing standards and the correlation between teacher credentials and student outcomes, one of which shall by appointed by the Chair of the Senate Education Committee and one appointed by the Chair of the House Education and Public Works Committee upon recommendation of the South Carolina Education Dean's Alliance;
(d) three parents of public school students appointed by the Governor; and
(e) two members with expertise in teacher certification appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.
(2) In making appointments to the study committee, consideration should be given to ensure the inclusion of diverse racial, ethnic, and gender perspectives representing districts throughout the State.
(3) Vacancies in the study committee's membership must be filled in the manner of original appointment.
(4) Members of the committee shall serve without per diem, mileage, or other compensation generally provided to members of boards and commissions.
(C) The Senate Education Committee and the House Education and Public Works Committee shall provide appropriate staffing for the study committee.
(D) The study committee shall provide a report with recommendations to the General Assembly before January 1, 2022. The study committee shall dissolve upon providing its report to the General Assembly or on January 1, 2022, whichever occurs first.
SECTION 2. Prior to July 1, 2022, each school district shall ensure that all schools within its jurisdiction develop plans for unencumbered daily planning time for all classroom teachers. The planning time must be equal to no less of one quarter of teachers' assigned instructional time, free from meetings, duties, or requirements incompatible with the effective planning of instruction. Plans may include contingencies for extenuating circumstances when insufficient numbers of staff and faculty are not on campus. Districts must submit their plans to the State Superintendent of Education for approval. The Superintendent shall provide a report regarding the plans to the General Assembly no later than September 1, 2022.
SECTION 3. Prior to May 3, 2021, each school district must provide the State Department of Education with a plan for implementing summer learning camps. The plans must include curricula to be used in mathematics and English/language arts, methods for notifying parents about the availability of the camps, transportation for students, and any other items determined by the department.
SECTION 4. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
