The Division of School Effectiveness has established a strong track record in the recruitment of exceptional international teachers to South Carolina's classrooms. The South Carolina International Visiting Teachers Program currently has Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with China and India. Through this program teachers are employed in a variety of content areas to include: math, science, special education, English as a second language, and foreign language instruction.

Authority for the Exchange Visitor Program derives from the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The purpose of the Act is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through educational and cultural exchanges. Activities of the Act are facilitated, in part, through the designation of public and private entities as sponsors of the Exchange Visitor Program.

The U. S. Department of State designates organizations such as; government agencies, academic institutions, educational and cultural organizations, and corporations to administer exchange visitor programs. International educators are also placed in South Carolina classrooms through select private companies. Private companies are required to obtain "no objection" letters from the State Department of Education for each state in which foreign teachers will be placed. Companies that place teachers in South Carolina ensure that their teachers can be certified under the International Certificate. The company must submit applications for the teachers and ensure that teachers meet all requirements for the certificate.

For information regarding companies that have a “no objection” letter please contact Michael Carothers.