S 0737 General Bill, By Waldrep
 A Bill to amend the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding Section
 59-63-26 so as to provide that children who will attain the age of five after
 September first but on or before November first may attend public kindergarten
 under criteria developed by the State Board of Education.

   04/12/95  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-3
   04/12/95  Senate Referred to Committee on Education SJ-3

A BILL

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-63-26 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT CHILDREN WHO WILL ATTAIN THE AGE OF FIVE AFTER SEPTEMBER FIRST BUT ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER FIRST MAY ATTEND PUBLIC KINDERGARTEN UNDER CRITERIA DEVELOPED BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

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

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 59-63-26. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 59-63-20, 59-65-10, and other applicable provisions of law, the State Board of Education shall develop criteria to allow attendance in the public kindergartens of this State for children who are ready to undertake formal schooling who attain the age of five after September first but on or before November first. The criteria shall include guidelines for notification of parents. Local boards of trustees shall develop procedures based on state board criteria to identify children ready to undertake formal schooling and shall determine admittance on an individual basis when a request from a child's parent or guardian is received before August first of the applicable school year. Children admitted to public kindergarten under these procedures may enter the first grade in the succeeding year. School districts are entitled to receive state aid for those students who meet the requirements established pursuant to this section and who attend public school."

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.