Please Note: This grant has ended.

This program enables individuals with a bachelor's degree and six years of professional work experience to prepare for a teaching career using state-of-the-art distance learning technology. The program is open to individuals located anywhere in the world, who are interested in a second career in public education. The Internet-based courses are available seven days a week, 24 hours per day, to accommodate various time zones and allow participants to complete coursework while addressing personal and professional responsibilities. The marketing plan is focused on recruiting current and retired military and other professionals with backgrounds in critical subject areas, including mathematics, science, and English language arts. Following completion of on-line coursework, participants serve one-year paid internships in South Carolina public schools; interns are the teachers of record in their classrooms and receive first-year teacher salaries. Skilled mentors and university supervisors provide ongoing guidance to interns; follow-up activities continue for an additional two years. The program leads to full-teacher licensure in South Carolina.

This program consists of pre- and post-placement induction and support activities that include pre-service coursework and a sustained in-service training program. Long-term recruitment and retention strategies, such as a statewide clearinghouse for the recruitment and placement of teachers, have also been developed.