S 0562 General Bill, By Sheheen
 A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, SO AS TO ENACT THE
 "PAGELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NO HOMEWORK ACT"; BY ADDING SECTION 59-1-600 SO AS
 TO ENCOURAGE THE PROHIBITION ON THE ASSIGNING OF HOMEWORK TO THE STUDENTS OF
 PAGELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

   03/17/15  Senate Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 5)
   03/17/15  Senate Referred to Committee on Education
                     (Senate Journal-page 5)

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, SO AS TO ENACT THE "PAGELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NO HOMEWORK ACT"; BY ADDING SECTION 59-1-600 SO AS TO ENCOURAGE THE PROHIBITION ON THE ASSIGNING OF HOMEWORK TO THE STUDENTS OF PAGELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly wish to encourage the students of Pageland Elementary School, as with all South Carolina school children, to excel in all class assignments or homework; and

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly further recognize the benefits of homework to promote critical thinking, foster time management skills, and increase the overall knowledge of students; and

Whereas, in order to support the herculean efforts of students of Pageland Elementary if they earn straight A's in a reporting period, the members of the General Assembly would like to acknowledge and reward such an auspicious event by requesting that homework assignments be suspended for a period of time to be determined by teachers, principals, and parents. The homework suspension recognizes the:

(1)    studious efforts of Pageland Elementary School students;

(2)    talents and skills of the teachers to convey educational information to the students; and

(3)    involvement of parents in student learning. Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    This act may be cited as the "Pageland Elementary School No Homework Act".

SECTION    2.    Article 5, Chapter 1, Title 59 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 59-1-600.    When the students of Pageland Elementary earn straight A's in any one reporting period, the members of the General Assembly would like to acknowledge and reward such an auspicious event by requesting that homework assignments be suspended for a period of time to be determined by teachers, principals, and parents. During the period of homework suspension, Pageland Elementary School students will commit to alternative educational or community activities including, but not limited to, thirty minutes of independent reading at home, visiting a local library, or volunteering in a community activity."

SECTION    3.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.