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H. 4650
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Reps. Bannister, Bedingfield, Simrill, Burns and Henderson
Document Path: l:\council\bills\agm\18032ab14.docx
Introduced in the House on February 18, 2014
Introduced in the Senate on April 8, 2014
Currently residing in the Senate Committee on Education
Summary: State Board of Education
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2/18/2014 House Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 25) 2/18/2014 House Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works (House Journal-page 25) 4/2/2014 House Committee report: Favorable Education and Public Works (House Journal-page 14) 4/3/2014 House Read second time (House Journal-page 33) 4/3/2014 House Roll call Yeas-97 Nays-0 (House Journal-page 34) 4/3/2014 House Unanimous consent for second reading on next legislative day (House Journal-page 35) 4/3/2014 Scrivener's error corrected 4/4/2014 House Read third time and sent to Senate (House Journal-page 2) 4/8/2014 Senate Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 8) 4/8/2014 Senate Referred to Committee on Education (Senate Journal-page 8)
View the latest legislative information at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
2/18/2014
2/19/2014
4/2/2014
4/3/2014
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
COMMITTEE REPORT
April 2, 2014
H. 4650
Introduced by Reps. Bannister, Bedingfield, Simrill, Burns and Henderson
S. Printed 4/2/14--H. [SEC 4/3/14 3:34 PM]
Read the first time February 18, 2014.
To whom was referred a Bill (H. 4650) to amend Section 59-5-65, as amended, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to powers and responsibilities of the State Board of Education, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:
PHILLIP D. OWENS for Committee.
TO AMEND SECTION 59-5-65, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE BOARD SHALL ESTABLISH BEFORE AUGUST 1, 2014, A PROFICIENCY-BASED SYSTEM AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL SEAT-TIME REQUIREMENTS FOR CHILDREN NOT EXEMPT FROM COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS, TO PROVIDE THE SYSTEM MUST BE OPTIONAL FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 59-65-90, RELATING TO RULES AND REGULATIONS CONCERNING STUDENT ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO MAKE A CONFORMING CHANGE.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 59-5-65(9) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"(9) [Deleted](a) Establish before August 1, 2014, a proficiency-based system as an alternative to traditional seat-time requirements for children not exempt from compulsory school attendance requirements by Section 59-65-30. The system must be optional for each school district.
(b) For the purposes of this section:
(i) 'Proficiency' means the demonstration of competency or advancement, based upon mastery of South Carolina State Subject Area Standards in any subject without the necessity of satisfying a seat-time requirement;
(ii) 'Proficiency-based learning course credits' means credits received for courses based upon mastery of South Carolina State Subject Area Standards without the necessity of satisfying a seat-time requirement. Attendance requirements of one hundred twenty hours of seat time may not apply to a proficiency-based learning course credit. These courses may be designed to include, but not be limited to, distance learning, online learning, project and inquiry-based learning, independent study, and a combination of these methodologies.
(iii) 'Proficiency-based system' means a structure which outlines courses, curriculum, and instructional methods used in awarding proficiency-based course credit.
(iv) 'Seat-time' means a requirement that a student be present in a classroom for a minimum amount of time as a condition of successful completion of a course."
SECTION 2. Section 59-65-90 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 59-65-90. The State Board of Education shall establish regulations defining lawful and unlawful absences beyond those specifically named in this article and additional regulations as are necessary for the orderly enrollment of pupils so as to provide for uniform dates of entrance. These regulations shall require: (1) that school officials shall immediately intervene to encourage the student's future attendance when the student has three consecutive unlawful absences or a total of five unlawful absences, except as provided for students in a proficiency-based program pursuant to Section 59-5-65(9), and (2) that the district board of trustees or its designee shall promptly approve or disapprove any student absence in excess of ten days. As used in this section, 'intervene' means to identify the reasons for the child's continued absence and to develop a plan in conjunction with the student and his parent or guardian to improve his future attendance.
Provided, however, that nothing within this section shall interfere with the board's authority to at any time refer a child to a truancy prevention program or to the court pursuant to Section 59-65-50."
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
This web page was last updated on April 9, 2014 at 9:20 AM