Current Status Bill Number:3855 Type of Legislation:General Bill GB Introducing Body:House Introduced Date:19970409 Primary Sponsor:Davenport All Sponsors:Davenport, Loftis and Tripp Drafted Document Number:gjk\20457sd.97 Residing Body:House Current Committee:Education and Public Works Committee 21 HEPW Subject:School trustees to adopt uniform dress code for students; integrated teaching approaches; curriculum
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved
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House 19970409 Introduced, read first time, 21 HEPW
referred to Committee
View additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-29-15 SO AS TO PRESCRIBE INTEGRATED TEACHING APPROACHES FOR CERTAIN SUBJECTS; AND BY ADDING SECTION 59-63-65 SO AS TO REQUIRE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS OF TRUSTEES TO ADOPT A UNIFORM DRESS CODE FOR STUDENTS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 59-29-15. (A) In order for a student to be successful in school, an emphasis on the acquisition of knowledge-based skills which are fundamental to all other learning must take place. The purpose of education is to train the mind through the acquisition of facts and knowledge imperative for each student to understand, manage, and expand his world. It is the responsibility of the K-12 education system to teach facts and knowledge that build a strong foundation of knowledge-based skills which shall enable students to pursue any career or higher education opportunity they chose.
(B) The goals of each school district, with the involvement of parents and community members, shall be to provide opportunities for all students to develop essential knowledge and skills. In order to accomplish their goal, a balanced and integrated teaching approach is necessary. The following approaches apply with respect to the subject indicated:
(1) As part of an integrated approach to the teaching of reading, the process of learning the accurate pronunciation of written words is a necessary component. Phonics instruction shall be utilized as part of an early and systemic approach to the teaching of reading.
(2) As part of an integrated approach to the teaching of English grammar, the process of learning the parts of speech and their relationships to sentence structure is a necessary component. Sentence diagraming shall be a necessary skill utilized in teaching this relationship.
(3) As part of an integrated approach to the teaching of mathematics, the process of mastering mathematical operations and their facts is necessary to understanding the applications. Learning basic math facts must take place before students proceed to the next level of instruction.
(4) As part of an integrated approach to the teaching of computer skills, students must have mastered age-appropriate basic skills in both reading and mathematics before their instruction in computer skills."
SECTION 2. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 59-63-65. In order for students to acquire knowledge-based skills necessary for the pursuit of a career or a higher education opportunity, students must be taught in a safe and secure environment where the focus is on academics. Since school dress can influence pupil behavior, local school boards of trustees shall adopt a uniform dress code and require students to adhere to that dress code."
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.