FE DuBose real-estate pathway under state review

by Melissa Foust-McCoy

Clarendon County School District is defending how F.E. DuBose Career Center rolled out a new high school real-estate course after other news outlets reported questions about who taught the class and whether students’ credits will count. The district says it followed state guidance, is tightening procedures for the next session, and believes students’ hours will still qualify them to sit for the licensing exam at age 18.

Reports described a mismatch between the teacher listed on student schedules and the instructor students said they saw in class and noted that state officials had been asked to determine whether course credit would be awarded. State education officials have said that, for students to receive high school credit, the instructor must hold both a valid instructor’s license and a valid South Carolina teaching certificate. A determination on the F.E. DuBose course is pending.

In an Aug. 26 statement, the district said F.E. DuBose “has and will continue to follow the mandates of the South Carolina Department of Education on CTE education as they are communicated,” adding that its “teachers and programs meet SCDE requirements.” The district also said students in its Media Technology pathway would handle related communications as a real-world learning project conducted “in an ethical and professional manner.”

In a follow-up response to The Manning Times, Communications Director and interim career center director Dr. Keisa Carr said the district established a teacher of record for the course and required students to complete a preparatory entrepreneurship class offered at district high schools and at F.E. DuBose. She said the district met with the real-estate provider “for hours, fees and any course materials/textbooks” to ensure smooth delivery.

Carr said the district has since been told by the provider and the S.C. Department of Education that, beginning with the January 2026 session, a full-time equivalent certified teacher must be in the classroom alongside the real-estate instructor during instruction. “We are fully committed to this requirement,” she said, adding that to avoid additional costs she plans to be physically present herself for the single section slated for spring 2026 because she holds a South Carolina teaching certificate in business and marketing. “I am, and always will be, willing to do what is needed for our students to be successful while meeting all SCDE mandates.”

Carr said students who have already completed the class “earned their hours under a licensed real estate instructor,” and the district “wants to assure” them those hours remain valid for eligibility to take the state licensing exam at 18. She noted the program had already started when newer requirements were communicated and said the district remains in contact with the provider “to align our program with updated SCDE mandates.”

The district did not release copies of instructor certifications or approvals, saying relevant licensure documentation could not be shared due to privacy laws. “While we are disappointed by this apparent attempt to undermine the achievements of our students and teachers, we will not be distracted from our mission,” Carr said. “The release of confidential student information is a serious breach of privacy. We are committed to continuing our innovative programs and celebrating the ongoing success of our students.”

Separately, State Rep. Fawn Pedalino said she has contacted the district’s accrediting body, Cognia, to ask whether the classes will “still count” for students and questioned whether trustees were briefed before the district’s website statement. Her inquiry comes amid statewide scrutiny following an inspector general’s report involving another district’s relationship with Cognia. CCSD, in an Aug. 12 post, noted its superintendent, Dr. Shawn Johnson, works with Cognia on diagnostic review teams, not accreditation panels, and characterized that work as professional learning that informs classroom improvements locally. The broader findings did not allege wrongdoing in Clarendon County.

What’s next: The district says it will place a certified teacher in the room alongside the real-estate instructor for the next session and believes prior student hours remain valid for licensure eligibility. A final decision on high school credit will come from state education officials. Parents and students with questions can contact the district’s Office of Communications.