Senate advances bill to grant partial work-experience credit toward teacher pay scale; 41-0 on second reading

The South Carolina Senate gave second reading to Senate Bill 78 and advanced legislation that would grant partial credit for related work experience to professionals who become teachers.

Senator Mori, presenting the committee report, said the bill provides a 1-for-2 credit: for every two years of qualifying professional experience, a new teacher would receive one year of credit on the teacher experience scale. Mori used the example of a welder hired to teach career and technical education, saying the change is intended to help recruiting by giving such professionals partial credit toward salary placement.

“It's part of a recruiting effort to get people to come into the teaching profession,” Mori said on the floor. The bill’s sponsors said it aims to reward relevant industry experience without undercutting incumbent classroom teachers who earn year-for-year credit for actual teaching service.

Senators asked for clarifications and examples. Senator Gill described a retired physician who wanted to teach biology and asked whether similar professionals could be credited. Mori responded that related bills (including S 79, discussed in committee) address noncertified hires and that S 78’s credit could apply to professionals entering the classroom.

After floor discussion and adoption of the committee report, the Senate recorded a roll-call vote on second reading. The clerk reported a vote of 41 to 0 in favor of giving S 78 a second reading. The bill will remain on the calendar for additional consideration under Senate procedures.

Ending: Sponsors framed S 78 as a tool to broaden recruitment pathways into teaching by recognizing substantial professional experience in relevant fields; the measure next proceeds through the Senate calendar for additional readings and potential final passage.