A proposed bill would allow more non-certified teachers in South Carolina classrooms

A proposed bill in South Carolina could mean there are more non-certified teachers headed into classrooms. 

The bill states schools which receive a “good” or “excellent” rating on the state report card, are eligible to employ up to 25 percent non-certified teachers. This is the first year schools were rated with the report cards. 

Schools would have training set up with higher education institutions to get the teachers certified.

Currently, South Carolina has three programs available to those who wish to become certified teachers; the American Board, PACE and CATE programs.

“My daughter had an amazing social studies teacher last year that was a fireman that decided he wanted to be a full-time teacher, so he went back through that certification program,” Horry County Schools spokesperson Lisa Bourcier said. “We have lots of those great success stories throughout the county.”