Educator Certificate �Renewal Basics

Basic Renewal Concept

Professional certificates are:

Valid for up to 5 school years

Renewable

• Earn 120 renewal credits within the certificate’s validity
• May need additional legislative requirements

Extendable

• May request an additional year of validity

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Professional Extensions

If additional time is needed to renew, educators may request a 1-year extension to certificate validity

• Extension valid from 7/1 to 6/30 of school year
• Extensions “borrow” a year
• Receive a 4-year certificate upon renewing
• Only 1 extension allowed per renewal cycle
• Credits earned during extension year apply “backwards” to previous renewal cycle

Expired Professional Certificates

Expired less than five years:

• Eligible for an extension at the educator’s request
• Renewable

Expired more than five years, but less than ten:

• Eligible for an extension at the request of the employing SC school
• Renewable

Expired more than ten years:

• Not eligible for renewal; must apply for a new certificate under current requirements

Renewal Validity Periods

Renewal Validity Period

The 120 renewal credits must be earned within a specific time frame based on the validity dates of the certificate; this is the renewal validity period

Validity period for a current Professional = the original length of the certificate

• 5 years
• 4 years if following a previous extension – extensions “borrow” a year from the next cycle

Renewal Validity Period

The renewal validity period runs by semester

For a standard certificate, renewal validity begins the summer semester of the year the certificate was issued and ends the summer semester of the year the certificate expires

Examples

Certificate runs from July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2025

• Renewal validity period is Summer 2020 – Summer 2025

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Educator had a previous extension; certificate runs from July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2025

• Renewal validity period is Summer 2021 – Summer 2025

Renewal Validity Period Adjustments

The validity period can be adjusted by consecutive extensions (no gaps in certificate history)

• Valid Professional + consecutive extension = original validity + 1 year of extension

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If extension expires, validity reverts to 5 years back from current semester

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Examples

Original certificate ran from July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2023; educator extended for the 2023-2024 school year

• Original validity (Summer 2018 – Summer 2023) + 1 year of extension (Summer 2023 – Summer 2024) = New renewal validity (Summer 2018 – Summer 2024)

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Renewal Validity Period Adjustments

Renewal validity period can also be adjusted by non-consecutive extensions

• Professional certificate on non-consecutive extension = five years back from the end of the extension

Examples

Educator was certified July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2020; requested an extension for the 2023-2024 school year

• Extension ends Summer 2024 > 5 years back from the end of the extension means new renewal validity is Summer 2019-Summer 2024

Renewal Validity Period Adjustments

Finally, the validity period can also be affected by certificate expiration

• Expired Professional certificate = five years back from the current semester, will move with the current date until requirements are met and the certificate is renewed

Examples

Educator was certified July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2020; certificate is now expired. Educator requests renewal Spring 2025.

• 5 years back from date renewal is requested/requirements are met > new renewal validity is Spring 2020 – Spring 2025

Additional Notes

Summer semesters can go “backwards” or “forwards” in terms of counting credit towards a given renewal period

• Double-check credit has not already been applied to previous renewal

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Example: Educator holds a 2019-2024 certificate, completes renewal credits Summer 2024

• Credits can be applied to 2019-2024 OR 2024-2029 renewal, but not both

Renewal Validity Period Dates

When considering specific dates, the renewal validity period begins on the first day of the beginning semester and ends the last day of the ending semester

Semesters:

• Spring: Jan 1- Apr 30
• Summer: May 1 – Nov 1*
• Fall: Sep 1 – Dec 31

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*NOTE: This does not match up with the semester dates for entering renewal credits. The summer semester ends Nov 1 for a renewal validity period due to our backdating policy

Examples of Dates

Renewal validity period is Summer 2020 – Summer 2025

• Runs from May 1, 2020 – November 1, 2025

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Renewal validity period is Spring 2018 – Spring 2023

• Runs from January 1, 2018 – April 30, 2023

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Renewal validity period is Fall 2017 – Fall 2022

• Runs from September 1, 2017 – December 31, 2022

Exception

If an educator renews partway through the school year, their renewal validity period begins the date they renew; the end of the validity is the end of the summer semester as usual

Credits earned prior to the certificate renewing cannot be used

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Example: Educator renews certificate effective March 3, 2023 – June 30, 2027

• New validity period begins March 3, 2023, ends Summer 2027
• New renewal validity is March 3, 2023 – November 1, 2027

Variable Renewal Requirements

Variable Renewal Requirements

As part of earning 120 renewal educators, may also need the following:

• Graduate Coursework Requirement (Repealed)
• Read to Succeed (R2S) Endorsements (Public Schools Only)
• Jason Flatt (Public Schools Only)

Graduate Course Requirement (Repealed)

Educators without a Master’s degree needed half of their credits to be graduate coursework

Permanently repealed in 2020

Change is retroactive

• If previously denied renewal due to needing graduate coursework, may request reevaluation
• Credits must still be within past 5 years and certificate must still be expired less than 10 years

Read to Succeed (R2S) Endorsements

R2S Act passed in 2015, adding literacy education coursework as a one-time renewal requirement

Coursework requirements depend on certification fields held and each results in an endorsement:

• R2S Literacy Teacher Endorsement
• 4 courses / 240 credits
• 2 renewal cycles
• R2S Requirement Endorsement
• 1 course / 60 credits
• 1 renewal cycle

Not required for educators that work outside of a public school setting; however, if they choose to return to a public school setting, the endorsement must be earned prior to accepting the position

R2S Literacy Teacher

Required Fields:

• Early Childhood
• Elementary
• ESOL (if primary area of certification)
• Special Education (all categories)
• Montessori (PK-5K, Elementary I, and Elementary II)

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Required Coursework:

• Foundations in Reading
• Instructional Practices
• Assessment of Reading
• Content Area Reading and Writing

R2S Literacy Teacher Timeline

R2S Requirement

Required Fields:

Elementary Principal

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Required Coursework:

Content Area Reading and Writing

R2S Literacy Requirement Timeline

Completing R2S

Extensions are allowed for completing R2S requirements

R2S Literacy Teacher can be added by:

• 4 approved R2S courses or equivalent PD
• Successful completion of LETRS Volumes 1 & 2
• Graduate degree in reading or literacy
• Professional certificate holders with classroom teaching fields may add the Literacy Teacher field and the R2S Literacy Teacher endorsement by method of exam

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LETRS

Must complete entire volume – no renewal credit or R2S unless full volume completed

Must score 80% or higher on volume post-test

Documented with Lexia transcript or SCDE Certificates of Completion (No Certificates of Mastery)

Renewal credits/R2S coursework earned:

• LETRS Volume 1 (Units 1-4) - 120 renewal credits, Foundations of Reading and Assessment of Reading
• LETRS Volume 2 (Units 5-8) - 120 renewal credits, Instructional Practices and Content Area Reading and Writing
• "LETRS Facilitator Training for Early Childhood Educators" program (Units 1-4) - 60 renewal credits, Instructional Practices

Orton-Gillingham

Educators that complete at least 60 hours of dyslexia support training (generally Orton-Gillingham) are eligible for 60 renewal credits and Instructional Practices

• Orton-Gillingham certificates can be mixed and matched to create the 60 hours; credit is awarded based on when last certificate is received
• Associate-level training can be accepted if they have a conferral date; Orton-Gillingham Associates must complete over 60 hours of coursework and can be awarded 60 renewal credits

Dates of Importance

April 30

• Annual Contact Information Form deadline

May 1

• First day private school experience may be submitted

July 1

• Automatic renewal updates

November 1

• Deadline for July 1 effective date on certification

Other Certificate Types

Types of Certificates

Initial

• 3-year validity, non-renewable, extendable
• Requires in-state school employment to maintain

Limited Professional

• Advancement option for private school employees
• 5-year validity, renewable, extendable
• Restrictions for add-on

Professional

• Advancement option for public school employees
• 5-year validity, renewable, extendable

Initial Certificate Extensions

An Initial certificate is originally valid for 3 years

SC schools may request extensions

Extensions must be requested every summer

• If a school year is skipped, educator must reapply

Every 5 extensions, renewal credits are required

EX: Certified 2015-2018

• SC private school requests an extension each year for 5 years (18-19, 19-20, 20-21, 21-22, 22-23)
• Educator needs 120 credits in 2023
• Repeat the extension & renewal process through 2028

Limited Professional Certification

A 5-year certificate for SC private school educators that mirrors many perks of the Professional certificate, such as:

• Does not require a yearly extension request
• If employment changes, the educator may continue to meet renewal requirement to remain valid

Limited Professional Requirements

Qualifying educators must meet the following requirements during 3 full years of employment within the previous 7 years

1. Hold the current, valid Initial certificate
2. Be employed in a single SC private school
3. Be employed in a field for which they hold certification
4. Successfully complete an annual performance evaluation process through the employer each year

Documentation for Limited Professional Advancement

Experience Verification Form

• Completed by employer; must include employment positions and grades

Limited Professional Certificate Recommendation Form

• Completed by employer

Copies of Evaluation Reports

• If reports are not available, a detailed letter from admin personnel may be accepted; subject to review

Renewal Matrix Training

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Please note that the Renewal Matrix guidelines presented here are condensed and simplified for training purposes; the official guidelines are available online

SCDE Approved Options

Of the 11 options on the renewal matrix, options 1, 2, and 3 are available to all eligible SC professional educators

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These options are not tied to employment. If an educator completes these options before employment in your school, you can still grant credit for these

Renewal Matrix: Option 1 – College Credit

Acceptable Accreditation

Professional education credit must be earned through an institution that has one of the following:

• National accreditation (NCATE or CAEP)
• Regional accreditation

Regional Accreditation Entities:

• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

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Acceptable Coursework

In order to be accepted for renewal credit, coursework must fall within one of the following categories:

• Related to an educator’s current field(s)
• Lead to add-on in another certificate field
• Aligns with professional growth plan (PGP) or school’s goals
• Relates to a “universally applicable” topic in education
• Special Education
• Technology
• Literacy
• Curriculum and Instruction / Methodology / Pedagogy

Not Accepted Coursework

We cannot accept:

• repeat coursework without prior approval from the SCDE
• coursework that is not conferred credit (must receive a grade of C or better, or a pass in a pass/fail course)
• coursework that cannot be tied to the educator’s professional growth plan/fields of educator certification
• Examples of commonly denied courses: Social Work, Chiropractics

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Verifying College Credit

Must provide official transcript to district

• May be received by mail if in a sealed envelope that has not been opened
• May be received by email if the college/university sends it directly to the district (Parchment, E-Scripts, etc.)
• Cannot accept forwarded emails from the educator

Renewal Matrix: Option 2 – SCDE Pre-Approved Renewal Course

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Renewal Matrix: Option 2

Pre-approved by SCDE Renewal Coordinator

Read to Succeed, Jason Flatt, pre-approved vendors

Vendors:

• VirtualSC
• ETV LEARN (formerly SCETV ) – courses only
• TeacherStep

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SCDE Renewal Credit Form

Looking for:�

• SCDE Seal
• Educator Name
• Course Title
• # of Renewal Credits
• Course Completion Date
• Verifying Signature

Renewal Matrix: Option 3 – SCDE Approved CEUs

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Renewal Matrix: Option 3

Speech Language Pathologists and School Psychologists are required to hold both a SCDE issued certificate and a clinical license to practice. To ease this burden, they may use activities approved for their clinical renewal toward their SCDE renewal.

SLP may use ASHA credits

Psychologists may use any SC LLR, NASP, or APA approved trainings, conferences, or workshops

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LLR License

• New option, 120 credits
• Only applicable towards renewal of Speech-Language Pathologist educator certificate
• If educator has dual certification, must complete credits through another renewal option to renew both certificates
• Does not exempt educators from legislative requirements
• Can accept scans of physical license or use the SC LLR lookup

LLR lookup

Physical license

LLR License (Cont.)

SC LLR license must be submitted during calendar year of educator certificate expiration

LLR license must be a current Speech-Language Pathologist license

LLR license must extend beyond expiration date of educator certificate

• Example: SC Educator certificate expires June 30, 2023. The LLR license can be submitted no earlier than January 1, 2023, and must have an expiration date beyond June 30, 2023.

Renewal Options Tied to Employment

Options 4 through 11 of the matrix are tied to employment. Only a SC PSD or Renewal Entity may grant credit to an educator for these options

• The SCDE does not award credit for these options

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Renewal credits for these options may only be granted by the district or entity in which the educator was employed at the time of activity completion.

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Renewal Matrix: Option 4 - Publications

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Renewal Matrix: Option 4

Renewal Coordinators/Supervisors have some discretion on this and may think outside the box

• Original compositions
• Inclusion in a gallery
• Performance of an original script

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Renewal Matrix: Option 5 - Instruction

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Renewal Matrix: Option 5

Can only receive credit the FIRST time the course is taught or presentation is given

Can receive credit for trainings held at your school

• Ex: A Computer Technology Teacher giving a training to faculty on Excel

Don’t forget to include preparation time

• 2 hours of prep for every 1 hour of instruction

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Renewal Matrix: Option 6 – Professional Training

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Renewal Matrix: Option 6

Workshops, employer courses, or trainings

Can be used for:

• Training for pedagogy, curriculum, or instruction
• Default option for in-house activities
• Attending education-based conferences/workshops
• Learning a new skill for the classroom (technology)

Must be appropriate:

• No awards ceremonies, social gatherings, etc.
• No repeat activities unless content has been updated
• Federal/OSHA-mandated trainings are ineligible for credit

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Renewal Matrix: Option 7 – Professional Assessor/Evaluator

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Renewal Matrix: Option 8 – Mentorship, Supervision, or Instructional Coaching

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Renewal Matrix: Option 9 – Educational Project, Collaboration, Grant, or Research

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Renewal Matrix: Option 9

Collaboration with district(s), SCDE, educational agency/entity, higher education institution

New educational projects outside of the primary job directive (EX: curriculum development, establishing theatre program, etc.)

Grant or Research: For district, for school, for personal reasons (must be education-related)

May not present work completed for a college course (EX: Dissertation) for this option, even if the course bears no credit

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Renewal Matrix: Option 10 – Professional Development Activity

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Renewal Matrix: Option 10

Meant for attending non-education-based conferences/activities, completing online webinars, or broadening knowledge of the educator’s academic/content field

• Often the default for off-site activities unless aligned with the school’s goals

Make sure the workshop, course, or opportunity is appropriate

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Option 6 vs. Option 10

Professional Training

• Activities include:
• In-house conferences, courses, workshops, and trainings
• Education activities that include a participation or evaluation component
• No minimum per activity
• No credit cap for the option

Professional Development

• Activities include:
• Content or industry-specific activities not intended specifically for educators
• Education activities that do not include a participation or evaluation component
• 4 hour minimum per activity
• 60 credit cap for the option

Renewal Matrix: Option 11 – Professional Development CEUs

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Renewal Matrix: Option 11

• International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET)
• Includes Project Lead The Way and College Board (Advanced Placement)
• International Baccalaureate (IB)
• Logo will be on the certificate of completion

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Renewal Processing

Who is Serviced?

Entity Renewal Coordinators are required to service full time entity employees. They may choose to provide renewal services to:

• Current part time or third-party contracted employees are eligible
• Retired educators or substitutes
• Previously employed educators (may be offered renewal credits for activities completed during employment)

Educators who have not held employment with the entity are ineligible to be serviced

Computation Sheet Training

Always include the name and date of each activity

• You may combine entries for activities completed as a series

Incomplete or incorrect forms will be returned for corrections

Supporting documentation should not be submitted with the form unless specifically requested for review

Forms will only be accepted if either:

• The educator has completed all renewal requirements, or
• The educator has left / is preparing to leave the entity’s employ

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Submitting Computation Sheets

Must be emailed to the Office of Educator Services as a pdf

• Current Renewal Coordinator: tdawkins@ed.sc.gov

Upon receipt, the OES Renewal Coordinator will review the educator’s file and provide you a status update

Submitted credits will be entered so that educators may view their total in the Educator Portal

If upon review a deficiency is noted for meeting renewal requirements, the educator will be sent a letter for their records

• No letter is sent if all credits are approved and a certificate is renewed; this can be viewed in the Educator Portal

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Annual Contact Information Forms

Each summer, the OES Renewal Coordinator will contact the Renewal Entity to request a new Contact Information Form be completed

The form must be completed to remain enrolled in the Renewal Entity Program

Entities that do not submit the form within a school year are removed from the program

Renewal Computation Sheets will not be accepted until a new Contact Information Form is completed each school year

Submitting Other Documents

Other requests or documents must be submitted by the educator through their Educator Portal account

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Examples:

• Experience Verification
• Add-On
• Advance from Initial to Limited Professional
• Initial certificate extension
• Professional extension