Teacher and State Superintendent of Education credentials

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-26-25 SO AS TO PROVIDE AFTER JULY 1, 2027, A PERSON WHO RECEIVES, RENEWS, OR MAINTAINS ANY EDUCATOR CERTIFICATE AUTHORIZED BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND ISSUED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL HOLD A MASTER'S DEGREE THAT MEETS DEPARTMENT REGULATIONS APPROPRIATE TO HIS TEACHING FIELD AND LEVEL, TO PROVIDE THE BOARD MAY NOT AUTHORIZE, AND THE DEPARTMENT MAY NOT AWARD, AN EDUCATOR CERTIFICATE TO A PERSON WHO DOES NOT HOLD SUCH A MASTER'S DEGREE, AND TO PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS MAY NOT EMPLOY A TEACHER WHO DOES NOT HOLD SUCH A MASTER'S DEGREE; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 59-3-10, RELATING TO APPOINTMENT, COMPENSATION, AND QUALIFICATIONS OF THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION, SO AS TO PROVIDE A CANDIDATE FOR THE OFFICE OF STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION SHALL MEET REQUIRED STATUTORY ACADEMIC AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS OF THAT OFFICE, INCLUDING HAVING BEEN AWARDED THE RELEVANT MASTER'S DEGREE, PRIOR TO FILING FOR CANDIDACY OR THE FILING IS RENDERED VOID AND THE NAME OF THE CANDIDATE MAY NOT APPEAR ON ANY PRIMARY OR GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT FOR THE OFFICE OF STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION IN THE ELECTION FOR WHICH THE FILING WAS MADE.