(A) A person enrolled in a teacher education program in South Carolina must be advised by the college or university that his prior criminal record could prevent certification as a teacher in this State in accordance with State Board of Education guidelines.
(B) Before beginning full-time clinical teaching experience in this State, a teacher education candidate shall undergo a state criminal records check by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and a national criminal records check supported by fingerprints by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The cost associated with the FBI background checks are those of the applicant. Information reported relative to prior arrests or convictions will be reviewed by the State Department of Education, and the State Board of Education when warranted, according to board guidelines. A teacher education candidate with prior arrests or convictions of a serious nature that could affect his fitness to teach in the public schools of South Carolina may be denied the opportunity to complete the clinical teaching experience and qualify for initial teacher certification. An individual who is denied this opportunity as a result of prior arrests or convictions, after one year, may request reconsideration under guidelines established by the State Board of Education.
(C) A graduate of a teacher education program applying for initial teacher certification must have completed the FBI fingerprint process within eighteen months of formally applying for initial teacher certification or the fingerprint process must be repeated.
HISTORY: 1990 Act No. 387, Section 1; 2004 Act No. 195, Section 1, eff January 1, 2005.
Effect of Amendment
The 2004 amendment deleted the first paragraph relating to state and FBI fingerprint review, deleted the second paragraph relating to the fee for fingerprint review, and replaced the two deleted paragraphs with new subsections (A) through (C).
Structure South Carolina Code of Laws
Section 59-25-10. Employment of teachers related to board members or serving as board members.
Section 59-25-20. Qualifications of teachers.
Section 59-25-30. Officials not permitted to designate place for teacher to board or live.
Section 59-25-40. Effective date of pay increase resulting from examination.
Section 59-25-45. Health and dental insurance.
Section 59-25-47. Unused leave payments authorized.
Section 59-25-50. Salary adjustments for certified instructional personnel of state agency.
Section 59-25-55. Expansion of number of high achieving minority students entering teaching.
Section 59-25-57. Salaries negotiable below schedule for non-TERI retired teachers; expiration.
Section 59-25-110. System for examination and certification of teachers.
Section 59-25-120. Examination on United States Constitution and loyalty.
Section 59-25-130. Record of teachers' certificates.
Section 59-25-140. Fee for duplicate certificate; use of resulting fund.
Section 59-25-150. Revocation or suspension of certificate.
Section 59-25-160. Revocation or suspension of certificate; "just cause" defined.
Section 59-25-180. Revocation or suspension of certificate; notice to district board of trustees.
Section 59-25-190. Revocation or suspension of certificate; effect; payment of salary.
Section 59-25-220. Revocation or suspension of certificate; depositions.
Section 59-25-230. Revocation or suspension of certificate; service of notices.
Section 59-25-240. Revocation or suspension of certificate; service of subpoenas; witness fees.
Section 59-25-260. Revocation or suspension of certificate; appeals.
Section 59-25-270. Revocation or suspension of certificate; reinstatements.
Section 59-25-280. Crimes warranting revocation; refusals to issue or nonrenewals of certificates.
Section 59-25-320. State and national criminal records check.
Section 59-25-330. Alternative route certification.
Section 59-25-340. Requirement of passing adopted pedagogy examination.
Section 59-25-360. Rights of persons hired.
Section 59-25-415. Rehiring priority for certified personnel dismissed for economic reasons.
Section 59-25-450. Suspension of teachers; reinstatement.
Section 59-25-460. Notice of dismissal; evidentiary hearings; costs.
Section 59-25-480. Appeals; costs and damages.
Section 59-25-490. Depositions.
Section 59-25-500. Service of subpoenas; witness fees.
Section 59-25-510. Service of notices.
Section 59-25-520. Powers and duties of court of common pleas; warrant for production of witnesses.
Section 59-25-530. Unprofessional conduct; breach of contract.
Section 59-25-710. Teacher discriminated against in fixing salary may file complaint.
Section 59-25-720. Complaint filed with county board.
Section 59-25-730. Hearing on complaint.
Section 59-25-740. Process and procedure shall be summary and simple.
Section 59-25-750. Service of subpoenas; witness fees.
Section 59-25-760. Service of notices.
Section 59-25-770. Powers and duties of court of common pleas; warrant for production of witnesses.
Section 59-25-780. Hearing; decision.
Section 59-25-790. Basis of decision.
Section 59-25-800. Reclassification of all teachers in district.
Section 59-25-810. Appeal to State Board of Education.
Section 59-25-820. Reclassification on order of State Board of Education.
Section 59-25-840. Filing of unappealed decision; enforcement.
Section 59-25-850. Compensation received prior to filing of complaint not affected.