1. Title II and Highly Qualified

2. When the term “highly qualified teacher” is used with respect to any public elementary school or secondary school teacher teaching in a State, it means that: The teacher has obtained full State certification as a teacher (including certification obtained through alternate routes to certification) or passed the State teacher licensing examination, and holds a license to teach in such State, except that when the term is used with respect to any teacher teaching in a public charter school, the term means that the teacher meets the certification or licensing requirements set forth in the State's public charter school law (see entry below for the definition of a highly qualified charter school teacher); Quick Facts re: HQ in SC: https://ed.sc.gov/agency/ac/Federal-and-State- Accountability/Title-II/documents/QuickFactsaboutHighlyQualifiedTeachers.pdfhttps://ed.sc.gov/agency/ac/Federal-and-State- Accountability/Title-II/documents/QuickFactsaboutHighlyQualifiedTeachers.pdf Teachers can verify their HQ status through the "View Certification Status" link.View Certification Status Highly Qualified

3. SC Charter School Law: 59-40-50(B)(5) in its discretion hire noncertified teachers in a ratio of up to twenty-five percent of its entire teacher staff; however, if it is a converted charter school, it shall hire in its discretion noncertified teachers in a ratio of up to ten percent of its entire teacher staff. However, in either a new or converted charter school, a teacher teaching in the core academic areas as defined by the federal No Child Left Behind law must be certified in those areas or possess a baccalaureate or graduate degree in the subject he or she is hired to teach. HIGHLY QUALIFIED CHARTER SCHOOL TEACHER: Charter school teachers who teach core academic subjects must comply with any provision in a State’s charter school law regarding certification or licensure requirements. A teacher in a charter school does not have to be licensed or certified by the State if the State does not require such licensure or certification. However, teachers of core academic subjects in charter schools must meet the other requirements that apply to public school teachers, including holding a four-year college degree and demonstrating competency in the subject area in which they teach. (See definition above for information on how teachers can demonstrate subject area competence.) SC Charter School Law

4. The local school district must disseminate a blanket statement that any parent can request information about any teacher of their child. Under federal law, parents have the right to know: whether a teacher has met state qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction; whether a teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which state qualification or licensing criteria have been waived; the baccalaureate degree major of a teacher and any other graduate certification or degree held by the teacher, and the field of discipline of the certification or degree; Teacher qualifications can be accessed at Educator Qualification Search. Educator Qualification Search Title II of ESEA Requirements

5. Things to keep in mind: HQ status is not a free pass... For example, I’m certified in special education an elementary education and I am only HQ in special education. If I was to teach elementary school, I am not HQ – The school would be required to send a HQ letter to the parents. HQ based on courses not on employees The SCDE runs reports of every “course taught” and verifies HQ status by course. Not all 4 year degrees are equal... Charter school law allows the flexibility for 25% of its course by the teacher “holding a four-year college degree and demonstrating competency in the subject area in which they teach.” I want to point out, “area in which they teach.” Title II of ESEA Requirements

6. Call Center Staff (for inquiries regarding licensure) Available Monday - Friday 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM (excluding state holidays) Local or out-of-state: 803-896-0325 South Carolina toll free: 877-885-5280 certification@ed.sc.gov The purpose of the Educator Licensure website is to help educators and the general public find up-to-date, relevant information pertaining to all facets of teacher licensure, including the licensure process, regulation changes, updating existing licenses and links to information for educators. Licensure guidelines are found in the South Carolina Licensure Manual Any changes or updates to an individual's licensure file require submission of a Request for Change/Action Form (See Licensure Forms) to the Office of Educator Services, 8301 Parklane Rd, Columbia, SC 29223.See Licensure Forms) What do you need to do if....

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