This page provides information on flexibility available for alternative route educators for the 2021-22 school year due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Please note that temporary Alternative Route certificates will not be issued beyond the 2020-21 school year. Individuals issued a temporary Alternative Route certificate for 2020-21 must meet all testing requirements in order to be eligible for an educator certificate for the 2021-22 school year.

Educators Issued a Final Extension for 2020-21

Under flexibility allowed by the Generally Assembly, the SCDE approved the issuance of an final certificate extension for the 2020-21 school year to eligible alternative route educators.

• The additional certificate provided a one-year, non-renewable certificate option for an individual who had held the maximum number of conditional or alternative route certificates as established in South Carolina statute.

• Educators who received the additional certificate for 2020-21 must meet remaining requirements by June 30, 2021, to advance to a Professional certificate. These additional requirements may include the successful summative evaluation of teaching performance as part of the state’s ADEPT system, a qualifying score on an approved pedagogy exam, or coursework required by the specific alternative route program.

• An educator who received a final extension for the 2020-21 school year is not eligible for additional flexibility for 2021-22 or thereafter.

Educators with a Final Certificate Expiring June 30, 2021

The maximum number of conditional or alternative route certificates that an educator may hold while pursuing full certification is established in South Carolina statute as indicated below:

• Educators pursuing certification through the American Board program are limited to a maximum of three conditional teaching certificates pursuant to Section 59-25-330.

• Educators pursuing a Professional certificate through all other approved alternative route preparation programs (e.g., PACE, Teach for America, Teachers of Tomorrow, etc.) are limited to a maximum of four conditional teaching certificates pursuant to Section 59-26-30.

The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) will issue an additional Alternative Route certificate for 2021-22 to eligible educators unable to complete requirements for the Professional certificate due to circumstances related to COVID-19. These requirements may include the successful summative evaluation of teaching performance as part of the state’s ADEPT system, a qualifying score on an approved pedagogy exam, and/or coursework required by the specific alternative route program.

• In order to be issued this Alternative Route extension for 2021-22, the educator must submit a 2021-22 Alternative Route Final Extension Request to the Office of Educator Services, and the district must submit a confirmation of employment.

• This additional certificate year will allow the educator to complete the remaining requirement(s) to advance to a standard Professional certificate no later than June 30, 2022.

• This additional certificate option is available due to the COVID-19 public health emergency and is not renewable beyond the 2021-22 school year.