[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6083540,"mediaKeyId","2934330-76ca0d2195deeec711cc830de1cdac68","parentId",2934330,"title","Subcommittee backs Senate bill allowing prior work experience to count toward teacher salary steps; PSTA calls it a recruitment tool","audioSeconds",848,"startMs",7575000,"endMs",8423000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2934330-76ca0d2195deeec711cc830de1cdac68&start=7575&end=8423","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2934330-76ca0d2195deeec711cc830de1cdac68/thumbnail_7575000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6083540/South-Carolina/Subcommittee-backs-Senate-bill-allowing-prior-work-experience-to-count-toward-teacher-salary-steps-PSTA-calls-it-a-recruitment-tool","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083540-ce715b6b00e942e57db8f3ff69e9f28e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771071260&Signature=jE3zlH81QPJ9j0y8q~9QLLIVW6BkjIVzzrzc3olXrBQyBoKHcpjijNhXBVq-kch5KoMRTscJXwEe1VGyF817OelBSLDg3N8bkMVRGf4oAGHRKPcVjgkHILoz2cOXDfNJRmM~BM-i7spLYtjMxC~-XVUWfMol53ZfbDRNYr~Sdkr11hNymiYYenSzPqZiTLG-IY50ULaAaVphpVEdm-vZXojVYT~CSqarufsHjfsTwHN1Fyspt8Ozn4kwVeWJJVHkaew8K4MnfhjnFOp~vTaKw9Na9WfVx52sbufBeWnO5QavohNbB494DiBeljhCOeyYOF8Jpz6gBEWpQVTCOjv7BA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","South Carolina Legislature","date","2025-04-08T00:00:00Z","article","The K‑12 subcommittee recommended favorably to full committee a measure from the Senate that would permit relevant prior work experience to be applied for salary‑schedule advancement for certified educators.

Senate Bill 78 would allow an educator’s related work experience to be credited on the teacher salary schedule (used to determine steps and pay), provided the experience is in the educator’s content field and — for traditional classroom certification tracks — earned after conferral of a bachelor’s degree. The change would not apply to retirement calculations, and any additional years of credit would affect future salary steps only and would not be applied retroactively to prior years.

Patrick Kelly of the Palmetto State Teachers Association strongly supported the bill as a recruitment and retention tool that can yield meaningful pay increases for experienced hires entering education from other fields. Kelly provided examples showing the legislation could add thousands of dollars a year to a teacher’s salary depending on degree and placement on the salary schedule; he cited member survey results showing broad support among teachers for the measure.

Committee staff reviewed fiscal guidance indicating the per‑teacher cost will vary depending on degree and step and estimated modest state fiscal impact for incremental years of credit; members asked staff and the State Department of Education to help districts understand local budget implications. Several members called the bill “life‑changing” for some educators who accept career‑change moves into the classroom.

The subcommittee voted unanimously to report SB 78 favorably to full committee.

Next steps: the bill will move to full committee; staff and SDE representatives said district budgeting and certification offices will need to prepare implementation guidance if the measure advances.

Vote: the subcommittee reported the bill favorably by unanimous roll call.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Education and Public Works Committee -- E.P.W. K-12 Subcommittee Tuesday, April 8, 2025 3:30 pm ","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 78, which would allow prior, related work experience to be credited for advancement on teacher salary schedules (not for retirement), was reported favorably by the subcommittee; education groups said the change would help recruit and retain mid‑career professionals into teaching and urged adoption.","taxTitle","Education and Public Works, Standing, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, South Carolina","taxId",17503,"location","South Carolina","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6083545,"Subcommittee backs bill to designate a state choral anthem; composer says song will teach state motto",280,7271000,7551000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2934330-76ca0d2195deeec711cc830de1cdac68&start=7271&end=7551","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2934330-76ca0d2195deeec711cc830de1cdac68/thumbnail_7271000.jpg","/articles/6083545/South-Carolina/Subcommittee-backs-bill-to-designate-a-state-choral-anthem-composer-says-song-will-teach-state-motto","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083545-0a7888694a7a4f74d7f3bfc2d6f1bf48/orig.mp4?Expires=1771071260&Signature=fUTIMj19av-DlA6I41NIPjTrVOVWVyXEv3qq4Xw00Jt-pkP-KutQ2h7-WKCz69HmL7TuFaDJWlnVtKBqXkX3viAhcX3Qk6qVUT1AvErlDzsIzMKrXJsjaEDgULFYjNnO9U9vbaewXArN-FcX1SMqrKtG9aKS2plhIECD8ioxDhjk1~e-R51mLBEipcQsK-GIVtrPo9op~-1sbkDL069ibxkUMOaBUrwkdJ~ZYSoxtAfHbfFpo04rr977c3MFgzhFQNtmfTuem-jYBonxEO7WzfWsZiPDQp8SrO~moSyww~zfCAISIcO660OvNr51Xl1UeuG96aM54cNxphUtewMEiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The subcommittee reported favorably a bill to adopt an official state choral anthem, a composition the author said would help teach South Carolina’s motto and be used in school choral programs.

James Kevin Gray, identified in testimony as the composer, told members he wrote the piece after being inspired by the state’s landscape and motto. Gray said a recording of a virtual choir — produced by the state chapter of the American Choral Directors Association and incorporating students from multiple schools — already exists and that several school choirs have performed the piece.

Staff noted the state already has songs designated for official purpose; the bill would create a separate category: an official choral anthem titled Dum Spiro, Spero (While I Breathe, I Hope). The subcommittee voted to report the bill favorably to full committee by roll call.

What the bill does: designates an official choral anthem of the state and makes the composition available for school and civic use.

Next steps: reported favorably to full committee; authors and supporters said the song is intended as an educational tool and could be sung by school choirs at events and public ceremonies.

Vote: the subcommittee recorded unanimous support when it voted to send the bill to full committee.","Members recommended favorably a bill to make \"Dum Spiro, Spero\" (While I Breathe, I Hope) the state choral anthem; the composer described educational uses and a recording by a state choral directors group.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6083549,"Panel advances bill to equalize excused absences for school‑sanctioned clay‑target teams; education groups urge absence limits",1123,5924000,7047000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2934330-76ca0d2195deeec711cc830de1cdac68&start=5924&end=7047","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2934330-76ca0d2195deeec711cc830de1cdac68/thumbnail_5924000.jpg","/articles/6083549/South-Carolina/Panel-advances-bill-to-equalize-excused-absences-for-schoolsanctioned-claytarget-teams-education-groups-urge-absence-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083549-595842ae9d846d439c6ae523dd79460c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771071260&Signature=HG5iseiYZ-TLVM2aLGUx11mt9psFFIDPc7agDB23f96DCDa4qXxW0TT9Uq8kTEmTOKWLEYPpX8KgckpZC48CoxyPEj2iIeg-i-bHDPtfwG4X~iVjKxO9jY-A3U28UQc1nH0tOD7GPHLb4c4qyjxGN4aatWHi~Nah8Jt8QYS3vSue-Gb3IUufmG4wkP0OmRFd3~V~5sq7fXT8MyLsXrZtzKAnsPAAvZoErrdbLhCJAJgHKYd7BAWkBZGgXxDPy1QvRs6qtZ5z1tmuWz4VzxOcqcIpjbL4kHxOXs3dtkvcolra54APRAN7twRAG1mEF3ZlcsngH4jwLLY6SvwhNxbxnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The K‑12 subcommittee voted to send a bill favorably to full committee that would require school districts to treat absences for school‑authorized interscholastic activities — such as a competitive clay‑target shooting team — the same way they treat absences for other sanctioned extracurricular competitions.

Representative Johnson introduced the legislation after parents and district leaders raised instances where students who competed in a statewide clay‑target league were treated differently from students who missed class for sanctioned high school league events, such as football or golf. Staff explained the bill applies only to teams or activities authorized by a school or district; it does not automatically apply to privately organized travel teams.

Patrick Kelly of the Palmetto State Teachers Association told the panel the bill’s intent is sound but urged the committee to adopt limits on the number of allowable school‑sanctioned absences. PSTA recommended an approach similar to another recent bill that caps certain excused absences at 10 days to curb chronic absenteeism and protect instructional seat time. Kelly warned that chronic absenteeism in South Carolina has increased post‑pandemic and that districts must balance extracurricular opportunities with student achievement.

Members discussed possible downstream issues — whether the bill would open the door to many kinds of travel teams or create cumulative absenteeism for students who participate in multiple activities — and asked staff and the State Department of Education to help craft implementable language. The subcommittee recorded a favorable report to full committee by voice and roll‑call; the transcript shows the committee approved the bill with one abstention.

What the bill does: requires fairness in excused‑absence decisions for interscholastic activities authorized by a school or school district and clarifies the absence should be treated comparably to other sanctioned competitions when determining attendance or truancy consequences.

Next steps: members suggested working with the State Department of Education and stakeholders to consider a numerical cap on allowable excused absences and to ensure the bill applies only to school‑sanctioned activities.

Vote: reported favorably to full committee on a recorded vote with one abstention.","The subcommittee advanced a bill requiring equal treatment of excused absences for interscholastic activities authorized by a school, citing examples of clay target sport teams not covered by the South Carolina High School League; Palmetto State Teachers Association recommended a cap on allowable absences to protect seat time.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6083554,"Subcommittee adopts language to create limited student forum for voluntary speech and prayer; report to full committee",656,5184000,5840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2934330-76ca0d2195deeec711cc830de1cdac68&start=5184&end=5840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2934330-76ca0d2195deeec711cc830de1cdac68/thumbnail_5184000.jpg","/articles/6083554/South-Carolina/Subcommittee-adopts-language-to-create-limited-student-forum-for-voluntary-speech-and-prayer-report-to-full-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083554-7a354e7b4933fb398f05d0146a31afa1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771071260&Signature=oobjv2L15-Lnv-vWfSKPaSvtKZZNuRXjVTL1pkUH21zvNK8qUA1sEeqynBe7dDQgxvdEsVyrLoAKZQPga04--OI7aRaCj2xvlEj3ynkaIVO4aCVJ-bd3c~~QwEklYOEOWWmOGV0WXPbVdmBFr4M09Uz8GVicpQCFQy-b5q49qdV3~RiXz5LTtKPWaUePVIfmhvWrvyW11jjmdcgXAHJMz1dtF2uBYb60QSc7MTggYtjfqfdhSW1w8TgPByvUHo27Rj9D5UTn9j~Fr~pYq38vhrSR-dFbsQ-WtfLE6fulxs6r7TtgdxEAs5MmB0q66QdM1H1o15LM7dwTkYEBQdfBzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The K‑12 subcommittee advanced legislation intended to clarify when public schools may permit voluntary student speech and religious expression without creating a government‑endorsed practice that could trigger litigation.

Representative Mitchel Mitchell (co‑sponsor) and Representative Yao said the measure responds to recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions and earlier litigation, including the Coach Kennedy case and Santa Fe Independent School District precedents, by directing school districts to adopt policies that create a limited public forum for voluntary student remarks.

Proponents said the bill aims to strike a balance: protect students’ free‑speech and free‑exercise rights while preventing schools from appearing to endorse religion or otherwise violating constitutional limits. Mitchell described the proposal as model language based on statutes other states have used; Representative Yao said officials in his Chesterfield County district pursued similar fixes after a prior consent order limited some student activities.

Opponents and some members asked for precision. Representative Alexander pressed for a plain‑language explanation of how the bill constrains schools and whether the measure avoids new legal exposure; legal counsel and staff walked members through the intent to reduce litigation risk by giving districts a clear framework to treat voluntary student‑led activity as student speech rather than district speech.

The subcommittee adopted an amendment to the bill and then reported the bill favorably as amended to full committee on a recorded vote. Members supporting the amendment said it provides useful operational guidance for districts; members opposing it cited concerns about further limiting students’ and schools’ options.

What the bill does: it directs districts to adopt a policy that recognizes a limited public forum for voluntary student expression (including prayer) in specified circumstances and clarifies that district policy should avoid endorsement by school staff or officials.

Next steps: the bill, as amended, advances to full committee where members said additional amendments remain possible.

Votes: the subcommittee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as amended on roll‑call votes recorded in the transcript.","A bill led by Representatives Mitchell and Yao would direct school districts to adopt policies recognizing a limited public forum for voluntary student speech, aiming to protect student First Amendment expression and reduce legal exposure to districts; the subcommittee adopted an amendment and reported the bill favorably as amended.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6083559,"Subcommittee narrows bill allowing private ABA providers into schools, adopts amendment and adjourns debate",4978,58000,5036000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2934330-76ca0d2195deeec711cc830de1cdac68&start=58&end=5036","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2934330-76ca0d2195deeec711cc830de1cdac68/thumbnail_58000.jpg","/articles/6083559/South-Carolina/Subcommittee-narrows-bill-allowing-private-ABA-providers-into-schools-adopts-amendment-and-adjourns-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083559-bddd63ca0e18bc0ddd5d9787e22901c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771071260&Signature=KVB0YRTPIjIffPBLbB7C8LNl3elwElbxkUce3YFqdBQhO4klv1UpFEY9sw7jtIgeTojicsBZZfmHGMN2LfVik0JNm2-pqSiOBQNG3doZnVKEfgODKO~iYTaVswe3xmvIXSZfXdcmMlRUmEzgl40uSrSqMqHw55SmO3ppUx0u4O5rGfNLEIsTB0hLAN~1KRevqkA2ZjAYuDXl3kQkoeENjGUk6bXpKYIvpiLXjZwGCasT5VhbF77m3A1VfFf1hIF1jPHFbg5Zg4haWc4CdwZa5lB5dNnrx4WIfHIIo1cgDw7qrZsM1rr0~DG5lSuk2rCxZjTHi5d2Hvdt1N7DnzMr2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The K‑12 subcommittee of the Education and Public Works Committee on Wednesday adopted a compromise amendment to House Bill 3974 that narrows which private clinicians may come into public schools to provide medically necessary services and directed further work at the full‑committee level.

HB 3974, as amended, limits the statutory definition of “private provider” to those who render applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy and asks the State Board of Education to develop a model policy and written‑agreement template that districts must use when reviewing parent requests for in‑school services.

Supporters said the change reflects implementation realities and insurer rules. Shealy Rybould, who staffs the Joint Committee on Children and guided stakeholder negotiations, said stakeholders asked to narrow the bill because several listed provider types reported they cannot bill when services are delivered in a school setting. “There are difficulties with billing in a school setting,” Rybould said. She described the amendment as the result of a consensus process that included school boards, administrators, providers, insurers and families.

The amendment requires district review of parent requests under an Americans with Disabilities Act framework, creates a model memorandum of understanding between district and provider and lists specific elements the agreement must include — who will deliver services, when and where, licensing and background‑check verification, liability allocation and a process for removal if a provider becomes a safety risk.

Several parents and clinicians urged broader language. Representative Tippel described her daughter’s need for therapies beyond ABA and said narrowing the bill “breaks my heart.” Parents and attorneys told the panel that ABA providers often must work across settings and that ABA can require many weekly hours of service, sometimes delivered in the classroom so instruction is not missed. Jackie Williams, president of the South Carolina Association for Behavior Analysis, said the profession supports broader diagnostic language tied to DSM‑5 codes and urged the committee to avoid limiting access in ways that would exclude children whose diagnoses are not autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

School administrators described practical differences among therapies. Doctor Nicole Adams of Lexington School District One said her district has operated memoranda of understanding with external ABA providers for two years; over that period the district executed roughly 48 MOUs (not all concurrent), she said, and has built procedures to check credentials and limit providers’ interaction with other students. An S.C. Department of Education official told the panel that medically necessary behavior services are often delivered differently from pull‑out therapies such as occupational or physical therapy and that the ABA services’ cross‑setting nature made behavioral services the predominant concern raised in stakeholder meetings.

A common theme in testimony was insurance reimbursement: witnesses said many commercial and Medicaid policies do not reimburse for services coded as delivered in a school setting, which discourages some providers from entering schools. Panelists urged continued work with DHHS and insurers on billing approaches that would enable in‑school delivery of medically necessary care.

After extended discussion, the subcommittee adopted the compromise amendment by voice and roll call. The roll call on the amendment recorded unanimous support from the subcommittee membership present. The committee then voted to adjourn debate on the amended bill; that motion carried on a unanimous recorded vote, and members said the bill would return for full‑committee consideration where additional amendments could be offered.

What changed: the amendment removes many provider types from the bill’s original list and restricts statutory coverage to board‑certified behavior analysts, assistant behavior analysts, doctoral BCBA candidates and registered behavior technicians delivering ABA therapy for medically necessary treatment related to ASD and functional limitations, with additional language allowing the State Board of Education to issue a model policy.

Next steps: the bill as amended was adjourned and remains live at the subcommittee level; members said the amendment could be reconsidered at full committee and that further amendments could be drafted to broaden provider types or change diagnostic language.

Votes at a glance: the subcommittee adopted the compromise amendment and then adjourned debate on the bill; both actions passed on unanimous recorded votes.

The discussion highlighted implementation questions — billing, classroom space and provider supply — and parents and providers asked lawmakers to continue negotiating language that preserves parental choice and ensures access to medically necessary services.","The K‑12 subcommittee adopted a compromise amendment to House Bill 3974 that limits private-provider access to schools to applied behavior analysis (ABA) providers and directs a state model policy; members adjourned debate on the amended bill and sent it toward full committee.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Subcommittee backs Senate bill allowing prior work experience to count toward teacher salary steps; PSTA calls it a recruitment tool

Subcommittee backs bill to designate a state choral anthem; composer says song will teach state motto

Panel advances bill to equalize excused absences for school‑sanctioned clay‑target teams; education groups urge absence limits

Subcommittee adopts language to create limited student forum for voluntary speech and prayer; report to full committee

Subcommittee narrows bill allowing private ABA providers into schools, adopts amendment and adjourns debate