CERTIFICATION INFORMATION FROM SC DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
The Office of Educator Certification has moved. Their new address is 8301 Parklane Rd., Columbia, SC 29223; FAX number (803) 896-0395. Status of requests must be confirmed from the Educator Certification Web site. An official educator certificate will be provided only when an educator qualifies for their very first South Carolina certificate. All subsequent changes, additions or modifications to a certificate must be confirmed by the educator and a certificate printed from the Certification Status page on their secure Web site at https://ed.sc.gov/. Please print your certificate and send a copy to Lisa Bruce, Personnel Specialist. Payroll changes will not be made unless you provide us with a copy of your updated certificate. The copy of the updated certificate should be received within a timely manner.
Expiring 2013 Professional Certificates
Renewal Packets for 2013 expiring certificates can be forwarded to Human Resources beginning in September. Below you will find the appropriate forms to renew. Once you have completed your forms,review with your Credit Advisors, and then send your packet to Lisa Bruce. This allows us time to review your renewal packet and renew your certificate before contract recommendation. Your certificate will be renewed as soon as the SDE opens the files in January, 2013. Once your certificate is renewed, you will be notified and you will be able to print your certificate from South Carolina Department of Education. You can review the Professional Certification Renewal Program PGCRP - Renewal Program.pdf.
Renewal Forms:
How It Stacks Up Packet For Renewal. Documents
PGCRP Verification Form 1000
The eLearningSC PD page has moved to a new website at http://www.elearningscpd.com. Please visit the new website for registration information, course information, and more information about online professional development courses.
Middle Level Certification
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Changes for adding middle level certification have been approved by the State Department of Education and the new requirements are listed in the certification manual. If you would like to receive an evaluation for adding middle level course-by-course, please mail or fax a copy of the Request for Change/Action form to the South Carolina Department of Education , Division of Educator Quality and Leadership – Office of Educator Certification, 8301 Parklane Road 29223, fax (803-734-2873).
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ADD-ON MIDDLE AREAS
The grandfathering process is no longer an option and educators must now use the add-on worksheet course evaluation and content tests for adding ML areas. The PLT is not required for the add on worksheet process. To request a worksheet, complete the Request for Change/Action form and complete #2. Once you receive your worksheet, please send a copy toy Lisa Bruce. For DCSD middle level content teachers who need to a add-on middle level content area, there is one way to add-on free!
1) We have Title monies available for reimbursement for teachers needing coursework and Praxis exams to add-on middle level content areas. We will reimburse middle level content teachers for any needed coursework or Praxis exam indicated on their SDE worksheet.
- Beginning July 1, 2009, all 7th and 8th grade content teachers must be middle level certified. Elementary and Secondary certified teachers will need to request a RAC (Restricted Alternative Certificate). SDE will send a worksheet informing teachers of necessary coursework, etc., to add on middle level areas. Please email Lisa Bruce for additional information.
SDE Alternative Certification Routes
South Carolina Department of Education has approved alternative programs for obtaining teacher certification. For more information, please see information below or contact the SDE.
PACE Alternative Certification
The Program for Alternative Certification for Educators (PACE) is South Carolina's alternative route for certification. As part of the 1984 Education Improvement Act, the South Carolina General Assembly provided for a conditional certification program. The purpose of the program is to enable degreed individuals, who otherwise do not meet certification requirements, to gain employment in the public schools in a content area included in the alternative certification program. More information can be found at the following
link: http://ed.sc.gov/agency/programs-services/193/PACEOverview.cfm
PACE Forms for Current Teachers:
PACE Extension Request Form
PACE Coursework Approval Form
PACE Request for Professional Certificate Form
ABCTE
(American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence)
In June 2007, the South Carolina General Assembly passed H. 3476, cited as the "American Board for the Certification of Teacher Excellence Act." The Act provides that a S.C. public school district may hire individuals who use the ABCTE process to obtain a South Carolina teaching certificate.
Applicants for teacher certification in S.C. who qualify for the Passport to Teaching certificate issued by ABCTE in the fields of biology, chemistry, English, mathematics, physics, or science may apply for a one-year alternate route certificate in S.C., upon verification of an employment offer as a teacher in a S.C. public school. The alternate route certificate may be renewed annually for two additional years upon verification of successful teaching. To advance to the professional certificate (five-year certificate), the applicant must complete induction and ADEPT (teacher evaluation) requirements, and pass the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) praxis exam. College degrees earned by individuals who hold the Passport to Teaching certificate must have been from regionally accredited colleges.
To obtain more information about ABCTE and the Passport to Teaching certificate, please go to their Web site at www.abcte.org.