INTRODUCTION & RATIONALE
The 2018-19 school year began as the previous year with classrooms nationwide without certified teachers. In South Carolina, there were approximately 621 vacancies compared to 500 just one year ago for the 2017-18 school year as reported by the Center for Educator Recruitment Retention and Advancement (CERRA, 2018). In addition, a review of enrollment in teacher education programs across the nation indicates that the number of individuals entering traditional certifying programs has declined from what to what from when to when. In response to these events, policy makers are considering ways to increase the pipeline of qualified teachers, including the development of alternative teacher certification pathways that are offered by higher education institutions.
