South Carolina Teacher Vacancies Dropped for 2025-26
As vacancies fell to 706, families should look for how local schools are utilizing new alternative certification teachers.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Special Education
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South Carolina school districts reported 706 teacher vacancies at the start of the 2025-26 school year, a decrease from the previous year. More than 300 educators filled roles through the Teachers of Tomorrow alternative certification program.
Why it matters
Reducing teacher vacancies helps stabilize classrooms and supports staffing needs in specialized areas like special education. This shift in the educator workforce helps ensure more students have consistent access to full-time instructional staff throughout the school year.
Districts logged 706 vacancies for the 2025-26 term, an improvement over the 1,000 openings recorded in the 2024-25 school year. Over 300 of these roles were filled by participants in the Teachers of Tomorrow program.
The players
Teachers of Tomorrow
An alternative certification program that provides training and mentorship to professionals transitioning into K-12 teaching roles.
South Carolina State House
The legislative body currently planning to revisit interstate teacher compacts to further address staffing needs.
The details
The Teachers of Tomorrow program allows individuals with bachelor's degrees from fields like business, healthcare, and the military to enter the classroom. These participants receive mentorship, training, and ongoing support while working toward full state certification. The program reports that its retention rates are comparable to those of traditional four-year teacher preparation programs.
Timeline
706 teacher vacancies were reported at the start of the 2025-26 school year.
The 2024-25 school year saw more than 1,000 teacher vacancies across the state.
Lawmakers are scheduled to revisit interstate teacher compacts in January 2027.
The Home Front
This reduction in vacancies follows a period of high staffing turnover across the state’s public education system. The trend reflects a broader push to address long-standing educator shortages through legislative reform and alternative pathways to certification.
Parents should check their local district’s website to see if their school is utilizing alternative certification teachers for their child's classes. Inquiring about teacher retention and support programs can help you understand how your specific school is managing its staffing stability.
The takeaway
While vacancy numbers have improved, the use of alternative certification pathways remains a central part of the state's staffing strategy. Families should keep an eye on upcoming legislative sessions that could impact future teacher recruitment and classroom staffing requirements.
What happens next
Lawmakers are scheduled to revisit interstate teacher compacts when they return to the State House in January 2027, which may further influence teacher recruitment and staffing availability.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts to support classrooms in Special Education.
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Should your local schools use alternative certification programs to fill teacher vacancies?
