SC legislators work to improve things for teachers – WRDW

Columbia, SC (WRDW/WAGT) – Every year, thousands of teachers in South Carolina public schools sign their contracts – without knowing how much they will be paid, what topics they will teach or where they will work.

This is at the top of the load of the documents required for implementation – and other mandate working conditions that they say should change if they continue to teach.

For the first time in several years – the increasing shortage of teachers in South Carolina can be delayed.

Many teachers say that the improved working conditions would help to keep them in the classroom – and a bill that would handle many of their concerns, is now progressing in the State House.

“The policies in this bill can significantly improve the recruitment of teachers, and especially the detention in South Carolina,” says Patrick Kelly of the Palmeto State Teachers Association.

The bill would reduce the amount of documents and the administrative burdens that teachers are required to complete – including by creating an automatic re -certification for active teachers.

“It is time to let the teachers have some of these very simple things that do not mean much to people unless you are,” said reporter Shannon Erickson, chairman of the Committee on Education and Public Affairs.

This will also reform the contract process.

Currently, teachers are obliged to sign their contracts in mid-May for the next school year-no details.

“We ask teachers to sign a contract, which is actually empty,” Erickson said. “I do not know another profession about the fact that someone would take this job, but teachers are so dedicated that they will trust and sign these contracts and do the job and they will be there.”

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The bill will require the areas to notify the teachers of their job assignment no later than 14 days before the start of the school year – and any re -approval will require the approval of the local school council.

This will also require areas to include an estimated minimum wage in the teachers’ contracts, which they will still have to sign in mid -May.

“This bill enables teachers and gives them stability in the classroom and in their professional development,” said reporter Hamilton Grant, D-Richland.

The bill will also give teachers time at the beginning of the school year, which is without meetings – to prepare their classrooms before students return.

And this would create a process of retired teachers to maintain their certificates active – if they want to return to the classroom.

The bill advanced from the committee on Wednesday and will then expect a debate on the floor of the house.

Such legislation has been adopted in the House in previous years – but it has never been adopted in the Senate.

But Erickson is an optimist who will change this year.

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