Professional Development Requirements

• Principals and teachers set yearly professional development goals with their supervisors. 

• All teachers must participate in a minimum of 24 hours of professional development during each school year. 

• Professional development should relate to the educator's professional growth and development plan, support 

• the goals of the school district; and promote student achievement. Activities may include workshops, conferences, in-services, and coursework. 

• At least 12 of the required 24 hours will be offered by the school/principal. This is a minimum requirement and does not limit the authority of the principal to require additional training to meet individual and school needs. 

Professional Development Exchange Day(s)

• Professional Development activity used for Exchange Day hours must meet the same requirements as those for Professional Development renewal credits. 

  • Events and meetings; such as informational faculty meetings, Open House events, fundraiser events, PTA meetings, parent conferences, and other non-training related activities are not eligible for professional development nor exchange day credit. 

• Teachers may earn one or two days off for professional development during “off contract” time from the day after school is out in the previous school year until the day before the last exchange day of the current school year. (June 9, 2020 - June 8, 2021) ➢ “Off contract” time includes weekends, holidays, after school hours, and summer hours that are outside of the teacher’s regularly scheduled working hours. 

• Hours used toward the day off cannot have been used to gain in-service credit for certificate renewal, college course credit, or a stipend. ➢ Exchange hours can be part of the district yearly-required 24 hours. 

• Seven hours of professional development may be exchanged for one day off. 

• Days off must be taken on the predetermined professional development exchange days on the school district calendar, and they must be pre-approved by the principal. Exchange Days noted on the calendar are required teacher workdays.  Whether instruction is being conducted through eLearning or face-to-face, a teacher would still need to provide evidence of 7 hours of PD to take the eligible exchange day off. 

• The dates eligible for use of up to two exchange days during 2020-2021 are October 23, March 19, June 8, and June 9. 

State Certificate Renewal Guidelines

• New teachers and PACE teachers who hold a South Carolina Initial (3 year) Certificate are not eligible to begin accruing renewal credit points toward certificate renewal until they have received a South Carolina Professional (5 Year) Certificate. 

• Teachers holding a SC Professional Certificate  must earn 120 renewal credit points, 6 college credit hours, or 60 renewal credit points and 3 college credit hours within a five year validity period to renew their state certificate. Please note: The South Carolina State Department of Education has announced that effective June 26, 2020, Regulation 43-55 will be amended to remove the requirement of a graduate course for certificate renewal for educators who do not hold a master’s degree. 

• Jason Flatt Training Requirement:  Educators working in a South Carolina public middle or high school setting must satisfy the Jason Flatt Act suicide awareness training requirements before their Professional certificate can be renewed. Educators may complete this requirement through:

  • Their employing South Carolina public school district's approved suicide awareness trainings; 

  • The South Carolina Department of Mental Health's Signs Matter: Early Detection training; or

  • The Jason Foundation's Mental Health Issues Surrounding Suicidal Ideation (Module 2) training.

Read to Succeed (R2S) Endorsement Requirement: Educators holding a Professional certificate which expires in 2020 or beyond must earn the appropriate R2S endorsement to remain eligible for certification renewal. Each course that is accepted for meeting R2S endorsement requirements is also pre-approved for earning 60 renewal credits. It is highly recommended that educators complete R2S coursework as part of their 120 renewal credits, rather than in addition to these requirements.  For guidance on the required coursework and timelines: Read to Succeed Requirements 

• Certification and Professional Development Handbook

Contact Information

Patty Fox,  Evaluation and Professional Development, pfox@greenville.k12.sc.us 

Professional Development Office: Points and Course Approvals

Karen Kapp,  Staff and Leadership Development, kkapp@greenville.k12.sc.us

Stacy Forrester, Certification, sforrest@greenville.k12.sc.us