The school district superintendent serves as the CCAPP gateway to foster recognition and preparation of talented career-changers to lead schools. The superintendent will identify CCAPP candidates and will determine that each individual has the attitudes and dispositions as well as supervisory skills and knowledge to succeed as a school administrator.
Request to Initiate Process
Superintendent Steps
The superintendent must provide the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) Office of Leadership Effectiveness with a letter of intent to hire that includes the following:
- The candidate’s qualifications and potential for success in the program, and
- Verification that the candidate has a minimum of three years successful experience in:
- Leadership
- Supervision
- Upper-level management, and/or
- Other position(s) in a business, corporation, agency or the military with responsibilities similar to those of a principal
The superintendent must also submit a CCAPP Confirmation of Employment Form for on behalf of the candidate. This form is available from the Office Leadership Effectiveness upon request of the school district.
Candidate Steps
The candidate will submit a complete certification application file to the SCDE’s Office of Educator Services. A completed application file includes:
- The online certification application with fee
- Official copies of all transcripts
- FBI and SLED background reports generated through the electronic fingerprinting process
Additional information regarding the application and fingerprinting process may be found on our Application Instructions page.
The candidate must follow all required steps to obtain the initial certificate. A Tier 1 alternative principal’s certificate will be issued when the required documentation is complete and is valid for one academic year. The certificate can be renewed annually for two additional academic years based upon successful progress in completing the program requirements, as well as upon proof of continuous employment as an assistant principal in a South Carolina public school.
Individualized Development Plan (IDP)
State Board of Education Regulation 43-64 requires completion of a three-year Individualized Development Plan (IDP) that is designed to help the candidate gain full understanding of the teaching and learning process before serving as a principal. The plan will be based on the candidate’s professional experience and educational background. The program components will include, but are not limited to, Career Changers Alternative Principal Pathway (CCAPP) training institutes, designated graduate level course requirements, professional development seminars, and customized learning experiences. The plan will be developed by Office of School Leadership staff and the district superintendent and/or district contact, with input from the candidate. The plan will be reviewed and revised each year provided that all conditions are met.
The candidate will maintain a portfolio of evidence documenting progress on the IDP. For each event or experience, the candidate must include:
- Statement of Purpose. The candidate must state the purpose of the event or experience or the desired learning outcome.
- Description. The candidate must provide a narrative description of the event or experience itself and should include brochures, photos, programs, and/or products, etc.
- Reflection. The candidate must provide an analysis of what was learned through the event or experience and how this learning will be applied both in the candidate’s present position and in the future. The length and depth of each reflective analysis should depend on the activity.
The portfolio must be reviewed with the district on a regular basis.
III. Program Progression
Year One
At the end of the first year, the district must verify for the SCDE's Office of Educator Services that the candidate has completed a full year of experience as an assistant principal in a public school, has received a passing score on the area examination(s) required for certification of principals by the State Board of Education, and has received a successful rating on an SCDE approved evaluation instrument from the employing school district. Additionally, the employing school district must submit a written request for a one-year extension of the educator’s elementary or secondary principal certificate (Tier 1 Alternative Route for Career Changers).
Year Two
At the end of the second year, the district must verify for the SCDE's Office of Educator Services that the educator has completed a full year of experience as an assistant principal in a public school, has successfully completed IDP requirements, and has received a successful rating on an SCDE-approved evaluation instrument from the employing school district. Additionally, the employing school district must submit a written request for a one-year extension of the educator’s elementary or secondary principal certificate (Tier 1 Alternative Route for Career Changers).
Year Three
At the end of the candidate’s third year in the program, the district superintendent must submit verification to the SCDE's Office of Educator Services that the educator has completed a full year of experience as an assistant principal in a public school, has successfully all completed IDP requirements, and has received a successful rating on an SCDE-approved evaluation instrument from the employing school district for the third year. Additionally, the superintendent must include a recommendation that the candidate advance to a standard professional certificate as a Tier 1 Principal.
Program Expenses
Candidates are responsible for any expenses related to the IDP.
