CREATE

CREATE Logo
Centers for the Re-Education and Advancement of Teachers in Special Education and Related Services Personnel
 

Mission

SC-CREATE is a scholarship program sponsored by the South Carolina Department of EducationOffice of Special Education Services, (Peter Keup, JD, Director). Initiated in 2003, the mission of the program is to increase the number of highly qualified, credentialed professionals in SC local education agency (LEA) public schools who serve the needs of students with disabilities.

Through a collaborative partnership with SC colleges, SC-CREATE underwrites course tuition and textbook costs for initial, alternative, and add-on licensure programs in special education and related services. Only individuals employed full-time (any position, in or out of the classroom) by a SC public or charter school are eligible for the SC-CREATE scholarship program. The CREATE scholarship program is not intended for school site and LEA leaders and administrators.

Recognized by the National Association of State Directors of Special Education's (NASDSE)Personnel Improvement Center as a model, grow-your-own program, the American Council on Rural Special Education honored SC-CREATE with the Exemplary Special Education Program for In-service/Pre-Service Preparation award in 2015.

Key Stats (2003-Present)

  • Program Completers: 1,252
  • LEAs Represented: 81 of 85 (95%)


The South Carolina Department of Education has partnered with TeachSC, an organization that provides free support to anyone considering applying to a teacher preparation program. An individual who registers with TeachSC can receive one-on-one coaching, up to $100 in fee reimbursements toward expenses related to applying to a program (including testing), and a chance to win a regional scholarship of $1,000. TeachSC resources