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State approves tiered CTE credentials; district outlines how points determine 'completer' status
Summary
The South Carolina tiered credential system for career and technical education took effect Aug. 20; district CTE director described how students earn introductory, intermediate and career-ready credentials under the new rules.
Lexington County School District Five’s director of career and technical education outlined a newly approved tiered credential system for CTE programs at the Aug. 25 board meeting.
"As of Aug. 20, this is the new certifications for students to be completers in CTE," said the district’s CTE director, noting the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee approved the system. Under the new rules, credentials are classified as tier 1 (introductory, 1 point), tier 2 (intermediate, 2 points) and tier 3 (career-ready, 3 points). A student generally must earn three points through approved combinations within a career pathway to be considered a CTE completer.
The director gave examples: OSHA 10 and basic CPR/first aid fall under tier 1; ASE brake credentials were described as tier 2 examples in automotive pathways; and the national Health Science Exam and EMT certifications were offered as tier 3 examples. He emphasized that credential points must come from the student's declared career pathway and cannot be mixed across unrelated pathways.
Board members asked about program enrollment. The director said the district recently added 43 students to its HVAC program, reported waiting lists for welding and automotive programs, and expects growth both in a heavy equipment operator program (40–50 new students projected in the first year) and through planned facility expansions for welding and building construction training.
