Senate gives second reading to S 78 to grant partial work-experience credit toward teacher pay scale

The South Carolina Senate gave S 78 a second reading, 41-0, after committee proponents described the bill as a recruitment tool that would grant partial credit for relevant work experience to professionals who enter teaching.

“This policy does is it gives people work credit it gives them credit for work experience in their field if they become a teacher,” said Senator Hembry while explaining the committee amendment and bill purpose to the Senate. The concept generally applies a 1-for-2 credit ratio so that, for example, two years of private-sector experience would yield one year of salary/step credit toward a teaching pay scale.

Committee proponents said the change aims to make it easier to recruit career and technical instructors and other professionals — such as nurses or skilled tradespeople — into K-12 classrooms without disadvantaging current classroom teachers. “It gives them some credit for bringing that real world professional experience,” Hembry said.

Senators asked for examples and logistical details. A senator from Newberry described a retired physician who wanted to teach biology but currently would not meet the state's standard for certification; supporters pointed to a related bill (S 79) that allows districts to hire noncertified professionals in limited numbers and said S 78 addresses pay and step recognition for those who do obtain certification.

The Judiciary and Education committee reports were read earlier; after floor debate the clerk announced the recorded vote on second reading. The roll-call tally showed 41 voting aye and 0 no votes when the clerk tabulated the polls for S 78’s second reading. The Senate recorded the second reading and placed further action for the bill on the legislative calendar.