South Carolina 2025-2026 Regular Session

South Carolina House Bill H3207

Introduced
1/14/25  

Caption

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-25-112 SO AS TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION ARE PERMANENT UNLESS REVOKED OR SUSPENDED AND ARE NOT SUBJECT TO RENEWAL, AND TO PROVIDE NO TEACHER MAY BE REQUIRED TO RENEW A PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE BOARD, AND TO MAKE THESE PROVISIONS EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026.

Impact

The implications of this bill are far-reaching for the state's educational landscape. By eliminating the need for certification renewals, it offers teachers a sense of job security and stability. Proponents argue that this move will encourage more individuals to enter the teaching profession, as they will be relieved from the recurring requirements to prove their credentials continually. The effectiveness of this legislation is set for July 1, 2026, giving time for necessary adjustments within educational institutions.

Summary

House Bill 3207, also referred to as the Teacher Certification Renewals bill, proposes significant changes to the existing framework for professional certificates issued by the South Carolina Board of Education. The bill aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 59-25-112, establishing that professional certificates will be permanent unless they are revoked or suspended. This change means that teachers will not be required to renew their certification, easing the ongoing administrative burdens and costs associated with the renewal process.

Conclusion

Overall, while Bill H3207 is seen as a progressive step toward simplifying teacher certification, the debate centers around finding the right balance between ensuring quality education and providing professional stability. Legislators and education stakeholders will need to consider these perspectives as they prepare for further discussions and potential amendments to the bill.

Contention

However, there are points of contention regarding this proposed bill. Opponents express concerns that permanent certification might reduce accountability and ongoing professional development for teachers. They fear that without the renewal process, some educators might become complacent in their practice, potentially impacting teaching quality and student outcomes. Additionally, critics argue that the ability to revoke a certificate may become complicated if there are no periodic reviews of teacher performance.

Companion Bills

SC H3196

Similar To AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "EDUCATOR ASSISTANCE ACT" BY ADDING SECTION 59-101-145 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE USE OF DATA BEING COLLECTED UNDER CURRENT PROCEDURES TO REPORT ON CERTAIN POSTSECONDARY MATTERS CONCERNING GRADUATES OF SOUTH CAROLINA PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND TO REQUIRE THE STREAMLINING OF DATA COLLECTION TIMELINES AND PROCESSES; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-25-47, RELATING TO POLICIES AUTHORIZING PAYMENTS FOR UNUSED TEACHER LEAVE, SO AS TO REQUIRE ADDITIONAL POLICIES THAT ALLOW TEACHERS TO DONATE SUCH UNUSED LEAVE TO A LEAVE BANK FOR OTHER EMPLOYEES, AND TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POLICIES; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-25-410, RELATING TO ANNUAL NOTIFICATION OF SCHOOL TEACHER EMPLOYMENT AND ASSIGNMENTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE NOTIFICATION MUST INCLUDE CERTAIN SALARY INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS IN THE REQUIRED NOTICE, TO PROVIDE NOTICE OF TENTATIVE TEACHER ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE PROVIDED NO LATER THAN FOURTEEN CALENDAR DAYS BEFORE THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, AND TO PROHIBIT LIMITATIONS ON TEACHER REASSIGNMENTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-1-425, RELATING TO REQUIRED DAYS FOR COLLEGIAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE ANNUAL SCHOOL CALENDAR, SO AS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF DAYS TO FOUR, TO PROVIDE DISTRICTS MUST VERIFY COMPLETING OF THE REQUIRED COLLEGIAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN A CERTAIN MANNER, TO PROVIDE TEACHERS AND INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANTS MUST BE PROVIDED SELF-DIRECTED FREE TIME TO EVALUATE STUDENT ACADEMIC DATA, INSTRUCTIONAL PLANNING, AND CLASSROOM PREPARATION, AND TO REMOVE A TWO-DAY MAXIMUM LIMITATION ON USE OF THESE COLLEGIAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAYS FOR THE PREPARATION AND OPENING OF SCHOOLS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-25-160, RELATING TO ACTIONS CONSTITUTING JUST CAUSE GROUNDS FOR TEACHER CERTIFICATE REVOCATION OR SUSPENSION PURPOSES, SO AS TO INCLUDE BREACH OF CONTRACT; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-25-530, RELATING TO UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND BREACH OF CONTRACT BY TEACHERS, SO AS TO RECHARACTERIZE CERTAIN ACTIONS AS BEING BREACH OF CONTRACT INSTEAD OF UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT, TO REVISE THE PENALTIES AND CONSEQUENCES FOR SUCH BREACHES OF CONTRACT, AND TO PROVIDE AN EXEMPTION FROM BREACH OF CONTRACT FINDINGS FOR TEACHERS WHO MOVE TO BONA FIDE RESIDENCES IN NONCONTIGUOUS COUNTIES DURING THE CONTRACT TERM, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-26-40, RELATING TO CONTINUING CONTRACT STATUS FOR TEACHERS, SO AS TO REQUIRE COMPLETION OF COLLEGIAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND TO PROVIDE EMPLOYING DISTRICTS SHALL AWARD CREDITS FOR PROFESSIONAL TEACHING CERTIFICATE RENEWAL TO CONTINUING CONTRACT TEACHERS WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE SUCH COLLEGIAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-26-45, RELATING TO RETIRED EDUCATOR TEACHING CERTIFICATES, SO AS TO MAKE SUCH CERTIFICATES LIFETIME IN DURATION INSTEAD OF RENEWABLE, TO PROVIDE SUCH TEACHERS MAY TEACH ON A FULL-TIME BASIS OR PART-TIME BASIS, AND TO EXEMPT SUCH TEACHERS FROM CERTIFICATE RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS; BY REPEALING SECTION 59-101-130 RELATING TO HIGH SCHOOLS REPORTING TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION, AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING REPORTING TO HIGH SCHOOLS; AND BY REPEALING SECTION 59-101-140 RELATING TO TABULATION OF REPORTS.

Similar Bills

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