Statewide assessments

A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 59-18-310, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO STATEWIDE ASSESSMENTS UNDER THE EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY ACT, SO AS TO ELIMINATE SOCIAL STUDIES ASSESSMENTS FOR THIRD GRADE THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE AND REMOVE SCIENCE ASSESSMENTS FOR THIRD GRADE; TO AMEND SECTION 59-18-320, RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF STATEWIDE ASSESSMENTS, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; TO AMEND SECTION 59-18-325, RELATING TO THE PROCUREMENT OF STATEWIDE ASSESSMENTS, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; AND TO AMEND SECTION 59-155-180, RELATING TO LITERACY ADD-ON ENDORSEMENTS REQUIRED UNDER THE READ TO SUCCEED ACT, SO AS TO CREATE A FUND WITHIN THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO REIMBURSE TEACHERS FOR ALL OR A PORTION OF TUITION COSTS OF OBTAINING LITERACY ADD-ON ENDORSEMENTS, SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS BASED ON APPROPRIATIONS BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AND TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO DEVELOP RELATED GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTING THESE PROVISIONS.