The need is so great in all school districts that the South Carolina General Assembly created a program that allows college graduates with degrees in these fields to begin teaching without the education courses and semester of practice teaching usually required. The State Board of Education allows school districts in very rural areas that have an above average teacher turn-over rate, to employ teachers through the Critical Needs Certification Program in any subject. In place of the traditional semester-by semester training approach, CNCP participants take part in an intensive training program held during the summer or in January before the first semester of teaching.
Participants attend another in-service summer program after their first teaching year.
During the first teaching year, CNCP participants attend monthly seminars where they work with professional educators to solve problems they are encountering on the job. At school, CNCP participants work with an assigned teacher-mentor from their building. CNCP participants are also required to complete nine hours of graduate study during a conditional certification period of up to three years. By the end of this period, successful participants receive a regular professional South Carolina teaching certificate. Take this self test .