House directs center to create teacher recruitment program

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A budget amendment approved by the House directs South Carolina’s teacher advocacy center to craft a way to recruit high-quality teachers to rural districts with high turnover.

The amendment approved Tuesday asks the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement to develop the incentives program. It must provide options for teachers as well as high school and college students pursuing a teaching career.

No money would be put into the program next fiscal year. Republican Rep. Kenny Bingham of Cayce says the goal is to have the details worked out for next year’s budget debate. His amendment directs the center to report back to lawmakers next January.

Gov. Nikki Haley laid out her teacher recruitment plan in January. But her budget proposal put just $1.5 million toward it in 2015-16.