Teacher Technology Proficiency (Proviso 1.25)

Teachers must demonstrate proficiency with technology for these reasons:

  • to ensure South Carolina students receive instruction from technologically proficient educators;
  • to ensure that state money spent on technology is put to good use.

Districts are responsible for ensuring teacher technology proficiency and must track proficiency according to the following policy:

  • Districts must adopt teacher technology standards that are aligned with ISTE standards
  • Districts must develop a Teacher Professional Development Plan
  • District Standards and Professional Development Plans must be incorporated or tied to the district technology plan.
  • Districts must submit their revised and current technology plan to the Office of Technology.
  • School districts will enter teacher technology proficiency dates via the Professional Certified Staff system validating the fact that the teacher is proficient in technology once every 5 years and prior to their 5 year expiration date.
  • All applicable proficiency dates must be entered into PCS by given deadlines or districts will lose technology funding.

 

    Proviso 1.25 states that to ensure the effective and efficient use of the funding provided by the General Assembly in Part IA, Section 1 XI.A.1 for school technology in the classroom and internet access, the State Department of Education shall approve teacher technology competency standards and local school districts must require teachers to demonstrate proficiency in these standards as part of each teacher's Professional Development plan. Evidence that districts are meeting the requirement is a prerequisite to expenditure of a district's technology funds.

Expiration Cycle for phasing in Technology Proficiency Standards

If teacher certificate expires in:

You must demonstrate proficiency by:

(next validity period)

1999-2000

2004-2005

2000-2001

2005-2006

2001-2002

2006-2007

2002-2003

2007-2008

2003-2004

2008-2009