The State Department of Education's Office of Educator Services facilitates training institutes and seminars for PACE participants. These training institutes are currently offered virtually and utilizes a state-adopted curriculum. This curriculum is based on the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC) standards. The state-run training program assures that all PACE participants are trained to the same high standards regardless of their location in South Carolina.

The PACE training provides participants with the tools to be successful in the classroom and takes place during the participants’ first two years in the classroom. Training begins with a ten-day PACE I Institute that focuses on skills needed to step in the classroom for the first time. These skills include: managing the classroom, handling behavior issues, preparing lesson plans, supporting diverse learners, teaching strategies, and more.

PACE instructors will continue to train and support each PACE participant throughout their first two years, making the transition from a previous career to classroom educator successful and rewarding. Additionally, PACE participants have the collegial support of other career-changers like themselves going through the training.

Employment Timeline

Depending on when PACE applicants receive their statement of eligible and verify employment with a South Carolina public school district, they will be assigned to a different cohort (A or B) and will follow different procedures during their first year of certification.

• If hired before summer deadline, educators are eligible for the Summer PACE I Institute. Educators are enrolled in the Summer Cohort (A).
• Educators hired after the summer deadline must now attend the Winter PACE I Institute.  Educators are enrolled in the Winter Cohort (B).
• Educators hired after the winter deadline may be eligible to have their employing school district request a PACE Adjunct certificate. Educators will not attend training during their Adjunct academic year, but with continued employment will be enrolled in the next available cohort.

The two cohorts (A and B) will merge at the conclusion of the winter PACE I and will attend training activities together from that point forward.

Sample Training Calendar

• PACE I Institute (cohort A attends in July and cohort B attends in December; 10 days)
• Spring Seminar (cohort A and cohort B merge for this and all future requirements; March; 1 day)
• PACE II Institute (merged cohorts; June; 10 days)
• Fall Seminar (merged cohorts; October, 1 day)