South Carolina is shifting its approach to support its education workforce, starting this academic year with the introduction of a non-certified teacher pilot program.
To tackle the state’s persistent teacher shortage, state lawmakers passed a new law establishing a five-year pilot program that will allow public schools to hire non-certified teachers to fill in the gaps, tallying up to 10% of their total teaching staff.
The initiative, spearheaded by Sen. Greg Hembree (R-Horry), chair of the Senate Education Committee, and Sen. Jeff Zell (R-Sumter), aims to reverse the ongoing teacher shortages by bringing experienced professionals into the classroom and maintaining educational standards.
Addressing a growing shortage
In a 2024 report by the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement, 71 out of 75 school districts across the state saw a total of 1,613 vacant teaching positions at the start of the 2023 school year…