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:

• Teachers pursuing certification through the American Board program are limited to a maximum of three conditional teaching certificates pursuant to Section 59-25-330.
• Teachers 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 COVID-19 public health emergency has affected the ability of some teachers holding their final conditional certificate to complete necessary requirements for a Professional certificate due to closures of schools and testing centers and changes to college and university course schedules.

The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) will issue an additional Alternative Route certificate for 2020-21 to eligible educators unable to complete requirements for the Professional certificate due to circumstances related to COVID-19. These requirements may include:

• successful completion of the state’s summative evaluation of teaching performance at the annual contract level, and
• earning a qualifying score on a pedagogy exam approved by the State Board of Education  for certification purposes (i.e., the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching exam).
• Depending on the specific program, some participants may also have coursework requirements to advance to a Professional certificate.

In order to be issued this Alternative Route extension for 2020-21, the educator must submit a 2020-21 Alternative Route Certificate 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, 2021.

This additional certificate option is available due to the COVID-19 public health emergency and is not renewable beyond the 2020-21 school year.

Note: Educators on their final Alternative Route certificate who have completed all program requirements and have all documentation on file may submit a request to advance to a standard Professional certificate.

Flexibility for Candidates Seeking Admission to an Alternative Route Program

Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 59-26-30 and § 59-25-330, an individual must earn a qualifying score on the required subject area assessment in the certification field for issuance of a conditional (i.e., Alternative Route) certificate.
 
Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, closures of testing centers administering certification assessments have delayed candidates in completing the testing requirement for admission to an approved alternative route program.
 
To assist these prospective educators affected by the closure of testing centers, the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) will issue a Temporary Alternative Route certificate for the 2020-21 school year to eligible candidates. The purpose of the Temporary certificate is to provide a one-year, non-renewable certificate option for an individual who has successfully completed all requirements to participate in an approved alternative certification program with the exception of one or more certification assessments required by the State Board of Education.

Requirements for Issuance of the Temporary Alternative Route Certificate

In order for the SCDE to issue a Temporary Alternative Route certificate for the 2020-21 school year, an eligible candidate must have the following documentation on file:

1. application for certification,
2. application fee,
3. official transcripts documenting qualifying degree and major from a regionally accredited college or university,
4. fingerprint-based criminal history clearance,
5. verification of successful completion of the pre-service training of the specific program, and
6. confirmation of employment in a public school district.

The Temporary Alternative Route certificate is valid only for the 2020-21 school year and is not renewable. No later than June 30, 2021, the candidate must have a qualifying score on the required subject area assessment on file with the SCDE for continued program participation and eligibility for certification. Issuance of an Alternative Route certificate for 2021-22 or beyond is contingent upon the candidate meeting the testing requirement, demonstrating successful progress in the specific preparation program, and continuing employment in a South Carolina public school district.

Restrictions

Candidates with three or more unsuccessful attempts on a required subject area assessment in the certification field are not eligible for the temporary certificate.
 
Note: An alternative route candidate who has all documentation on file and a qualifying score on the required subject area assessment(s) will be issued the customary Alternative Route certificate.