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Kindergarten through 3rd grade teachers, and 4th grade in Year 1, will teach English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies in a self-contained classroom. Kindergarten through 3rd grade teachers, and 4th grade in Year 1, will meet qualifications that are in alignment with the South Carolina Charter School s Act and the No Child Left Behind Act. They will meet the following minimum criteria: (1) earned bachelor’s degree; (2) content knowledge demonstrated by achieving a passing score on state approved certification examinations; (3) valid South Carolina Teaching Certificate in the area of Early Childhood Education for grades Pre-kindergarten through Third with no waivers of any requirements, OR, in grades two and three may have either Early Childhood or Elementary Education certification. Fifth grade through 6th grade teachers, and 4th grade in Years 2 through 5, will teach specific content areas noted in the above section. Fifth grade through 6th grade teachers, and 4th grade in Years 2 through 5, will meet qualifications that are in alignment with the South Carolina Charter School s Act and the No Child Left Behind Act. They will meet the following minimum criteria: (1) earned bachelor’s degree; (2) content knowledge demonstrated by achieving a passing score on state approved certification examinations; and (3) valid South Carolina Teaching Certificate in the area of Elementary Education for Grades Two through Six, with no waivers of any requirements. Seventh and 8th grade teachers will teach specific content areas noted in the above section. Seventh and 8th grade teachers will meet qualifications that are in alignment with the South Carolina Charter School s Act and the No Child Left Behind Act. They will meet the following minimum criteria: (1) earned bachelor’s degree; (2) content knowledge demonstrated by: (a) achieving a passing score on state approved certification examinations in the core academic subject taught, or (b) a major in the content area of the core academic subject taught, or (c) course work equivalent to an undergraduate major or a masters plus thirty, (d) doctorate in each core academic subject are taught. For veteran middle school teachers National board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification is acceptable or demonstrated content knowledge through Housse of the ADEPT System; (3) valid South Carolina Teaching Certificate in the area of Middle Level for Grades 5th through 8th, with no waivers of any requirements.
For other teaching positions needed for fine arts, foreign language, and other positions necessary to fulfill the school’s mission, the Spartanburg Charter School may exercise its right to hire non-certified teachers not exceeding 25% of the faculty. NCLB does not apply in these cases. However, the following requirements will be followed: part-time non-certified teachers must be considered pro rata in calculating staff percentages based on the hours which they are expected to teach; and a non-certified teacher must be appropriately qualified for the subject matter taught, must have earned a bachelor’s degree at an accredited college or university, and must meet the qualifications outlined in SC Code Ann. § 59-25-115. Special Education Teachers
Any teachers hired or contracted to meet the needs of exceptional children must meet qualifications that are in alignment with the South Carolina Charter School s Act, No Child Left Behind Act, and changes to IDEA in 2004 requiring that special education teachers meet the “highly qualified” standards of NCLB. Therefore, Spartanburg Charter School teachers of exceptional children must meet the following minimum criteria: (1) minimum of a Bachelor’s degree; (2) content knowledge demonstrated by achieving a passing score on state approved certification examinations, and (3) valid South Carolina Teaching Certificate in the area of disability with no waivers of any requirements.
Special education teachers needing additional certification in order to better assist students with special needs will be given one year to take coursework necessary to gain this certification. While they are becoming certified in necessary areas, the Spartanburg Charter School will contract with other agencies in order to provide the full range of necessary services for any and all children with special needs. |
