Education (K-12 Education)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-110, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS CONCERNING THE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP TRUST FUND, SO AS TO REVISE DEFINITIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-115, RELATING TO SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES, SO AS PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING PRIORITY AND GENERAL APPLICATIONS, TO PROVIDE CERTAIN EXEMPTION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR NONPUBLIC EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDERS, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-120, RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP TRUST FUND, SO AS TO RECHARACTERIZE ITS CORPUS AND REVISE ITS USAGES, TO ESTABLISH A TRUSTEE APPOINTMENT FOR THE FUND AND TO PROVIDE THE QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES OF THE TRUSTEE, AND TO ESTABLISH SCHOLARSHIP ALLOCATION AMOUNTS AND ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-125, RELATING TO SCHOLARSHIP FUND PAYMENTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ROLE OF THE TRUSTEE IN MAKING SUCH PAYMENTS, TO PROVIDE FOR TRUSTEE PAYMENTS, AND TO PROVIDE TERMS FOR A CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THE TRUSTEE'S DUTIES, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-130, RELATING TO SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY TERMINATION NOTICE REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO RESTATE THE SECTION; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-135, RELATING TO SCHOLARSHIP PARTICIPANT NUMBER LIMITATIONS, SO AS TO REVISE THE LIMITATIONS, ENABLE INCREASES, AND REMOVE A PERIODIC PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY AND USE REVIEW REQUIREMENT; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-140, RELATING TO EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDER PROGRAM PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO INCLUDE ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS, AND TO REMOVE CERTAIN ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; BY AMENDING SECTION 58-8-145, RELATING TO MISCELLANEOUS DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO REMOVE A PROVISION ALLOWING THE DEPARTMENT TO CONTRACT WITH QUALIFIED ORGANIZATIONS FOR RELATED ASSISTANCE; BY ADDING SECTION 59-8-147 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT SHALL POST CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM ON ITS INTERNET WEBSITE, TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS OF THE DEPARTMENT CONCERNING THE APPLICATION PROCESS, AND TO PROVIDE A GRACE PERIOD FOR APPLICANTS TO CORRECT MINOR ERRORS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-150, RELATING TO EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDER REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO EXPAND EMPLOYEE CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS, TO REVISE EMPLOYEE SURETY BOND REQUIREMENTS, TO REVISE ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS, AND TO REMOVE A PROVISION AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT TO PROMULGATE RELATED REGULATIONS, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-160, RELATING TO THE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP TRUST FUND REVIEW PANEL, SO AS TO RESTATE THE SECTION; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-165, RELATING TO DISTRICT-LEVEL STUDENT TRANSFER POLICIES, SO AS TO REPLACE THE EXISTING LANGUAGE WITH PROVISIONS CONCERNING INTERDISTRICT TRANSFERS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-170, RELATING TO AN EXEMPTION FROM HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE TRANSFER ELIGIBILITY RULES FOR INTERDISTRICT TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS, SO AS TO MAKE THE PROVISION APPLICABLE TO SCHOLARSHIP AND NONSCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS, AND TO PROVIDE SUBSEQUENT TRANSFERS ARE SUBJECT TO HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE ELIGIBILITY RULES; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 59-150-350, RELATING TO SCHOLARSHIPS DESIGNATED TO RECEIVE LOTTERY FUNDING, SO AS TO INCLUDE THE SOUTH CAROLINA EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP TRUST FUND. - RATIFIED TITLE

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-63-795 SO AS TO PROVIDE EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT ANNUALLY SHALL IDENTIFY THE NUMBER OF ITS STUDENTS WHO LIVE IN POVERTY AND INCREASE ACCESS TO FREE SCHOOL BREAKFASTS AND LUNCHES FOR THESE STUDENTS, TO PROVIDE CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY, TO PROVIDE RELATED REQUIREMENTS OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS, SCHOOLS, AND SCHOOL BOARDS, AND TO PROVIDE THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ACT SHALL BE SUSPENDED IF CERTAIN FEDERAL FUNDING IS SUSPENDED OR DISCONTINUED. - RATIFIED TITLE

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-5-68, RELATING TO THE UNIFORM GRADING SCALE USED IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, SO AS TO ENSURE HIGH SCHOOL GRADE POINT AVERAGES ARE A MEANINGFUL INDICATOR OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT BY DIRECTING THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO REVISE ITS UNIFORM GRADING SCALE BEFORE JULY 1, 2027, TO ACHIEVE MAKING THE ASSIGNMENT OF GRADES IN HIGH SCHOOL SUBJECTS ALIGN WITH CONTENT MASTERY AS MEASURED BY THE ACT OR OTHER STANDARDIZED NATIONAL ASSESSMENTS DESIGNATED BY THE STATE BOARD FOR MEASURING A PARTICULAR SUBJECT, TO PROVIDE ONLY ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE MAY BE CONSIDERED IN HIGH SCHOOL SUBJECT GRADE ASSIGNMENTS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE BOARD SHALL ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE MANDATES.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-1-485 SO AS TO ESTABLISH A STATEWIDE WORKFORCE READINESS GOAL; BY ADDING SECTION 59-29-245 SO AS TO PROVIDE REMEDIATION IN COURSES IN LITERACY AND MATHEMATICS TO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS SEEKING POST-SECONDARY STUDIES BUT LACKING REQUISITE ACADEMIC PREPARATION, TO PROVIDE THIS COURSEWORK MAY BE USED TO MEET HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS, AND TO PROVIDE RELATED IMPLEMENTATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND THE STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM; BY ADDING SECTION 59-39-105 SO AS TO PROVIDE HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS SHALL COMPLETE AND SUBMIT A FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID BEFORE GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL, TO PROVIDE EXEMPTIONS, TO PROVIDE RELATED REQUIREMENTS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE PROVISIONS, AND TO MAKE THESE PROVISIONS APPLICABLE BEGINNING WITH THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-26-35, RELATING TO EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAM EVALUATIONS AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA EDUCATOR PREPARATION REPORT CARD, SO AS TO TRANSFER PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR CONDUCTING THESE EVALUATIONS AND PRODUCING THIS REPORT CARD TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AMONG OTHER THINGS; AND BY ADDING SECTION 41-1-140 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND WORKFORCE SHALL MAINTAIN AND PROVIDE FREE ONLINE ACCESS TO INFORMATION REGARDING THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF COLLEGE MAJORS, AMONG OTHER THINGS.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-26-110, RELATING TO MANDATORY TEACHER TRAINING IN YOUTH SUICIDE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION AS A CONDITION TO RENEWING THEIR CREDENTIALS, SO AS TO REQUIRE SUCH TRAINING FOR INDIVIDUALS EMPLOYED IN A KINDERGARTEN THROUGH TWELFTH GRADE SCHOOL OR INSTITUTION OF HIGHTER EDUCATION.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-63-100, RELATING TO PRIVATE SCHOOL AND CHARTER SCHOOL STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOL INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES SO AS TO PROVIDE LIMITED SITUATIONS IN WHICH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO ATTEND A PRIVATE OR CHARTER SCHOOL MAY PARTICIPATE IN HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE SPORTS OFFERED AT PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS, AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-63-105 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ANY INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION, BODY, OR ENTITY THAT A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT JOINS MUST PROVIDE IN THEIR CONSTITUTION, RULES OR POLICIES A RANGE OF SANCTIONS FOR VIOLATIONS; TO GUARANTEE THAT INDEPENDENT OR CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE AFFORDED THE SAME RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES ENJOYED BY ALL MEMBERS; TO GUARANTEE A HOME SCHOOL ATHLETIC TEAM MAY NOT BE DENIED ACCESS TO PRESEASON AND REGULAR SEASON INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS; TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF NAME, IMAGE, LIKENESS, OR OTHER COMPENSATION FOR PLAY; TO ESTABLISH A PENALTY FREE TRANSFER WINDOW TWICE A YEAR AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR OTHER TRANSFERS; TO ESTABLISH A DIRECT AND IMMEDIATE APPEAL PROCESS TO A PANEL CONSISTING OF THIRTEEN MEMBERS; AND TO PROVIDE THAT A PUBLIC SCHOOL MAY NOT AFFILIATE OR BECOME A MEMBER OF AN ASSOCIATION, BODY, OR ENTITY THAT FAILS TO INCLUDE THESE ITEMS; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 59-39-160, RELATING TO INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES, REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION, MONITORING, PARTICIPATION BY HANDICAPPED, AND WAIVERS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S DETERMINATIONS OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THIS SECTION ARE BINDING ON A INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "REJECTING RACISM IN POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION ACT" BY ADDING ARTICLE 4 TO CHAPTER 101, TITLE 59, SO AS TO ENTITLE THE ARTICLE "REJECTING RACISM IN POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION"; TO PROVIDE THE PURPOSE OF THE ACT; TO PROVIDE NECESSARY DEFINITIONS; AND TO ENACT PROVISIONS TO PREVENT DISCRIMINATION, TO PROMOTE THE INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENTS AND FACULTY OF PUBLIC K-12 AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THIS STATE, AND TO PROTECT THE FREE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS ACCORDING TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THIS STATE.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "HEALTHY STUDENTS ACT" BY AMENDING SECTION 59-10-10, RELATING TO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY STANDARDS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, SO AS TO REQUIRE NINETY MINUTES OF WEEKLY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, TO INCLUDE SECOND GRADE STUDENTS AMONG THOSE WHOSE FITNESS STATUSES MUST BE REPORTED, AND TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE A SUMMARY REPORT OF THE FITNESS STATUS OF STUDENTS IN CERTAIN GRADES IN EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-10-310, RELATING TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MEAL AND COMPETITIVE FOOD NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO REMOVE THE RESTRICTIONS ON THE APPLICATION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS TO THE SCHOOL YEAR; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-10-330, RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF COORDINATED SCHOOL HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCILS TO PERFORM CERTAIN FUNCTIONS, SO AS TO REMOVE PROVISIONS CONCERNING POLICIES LIMITING VENDING MACHINE AND SNACK FOOD SALES; TO REDESIGNATE CHAPTER 10, TITLE 59 OF THE S.C. CODE AS "PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES, AND NUTRITIONAL STANDARDS"; TO REDESIGNATE ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 10, TITLE 59 OF THE S.C. CODE AS "PHYSICAL ACTIVITY STANDARDS"; AND BY REPEALING SECTION 59-10-340 RELATING TO SNACKS IN SCHOOL VENDING MACHINES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 59-1-462 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS, RELATING TO EXCUSED SCHOOL ABSENCES FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL STUDENT ORGANIZATION EXPERIENCES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN ANY INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITY AUTHORIZED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR EXCUSED ABSENCES, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE ACTIVITY IS SANCTIONED BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE OR ANY OTHER GOVERNING ENTITY, AND TO REQUIRE THAT STUDENTS BE IN ACADEMIC GOOD STANDING TO QUALIFY FOR SUCH EXCUSED ABSENCES. - RATIFIED TITLE