H 3685 Joint Resolution, By Fair and A.W. Byrd
 A Joint Resolution to require the State Superintendent of Education and the
 State Board of Education to integrate traditional concepts into the reform of
 the public schools.

   03/11/93  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-8
   03/11/93  House  Referred to Committee on Education and Public
                     Works HJ-8

A JOINT RESOLUTION

TO REQUIRE THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION AND THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO INTEGRATE TRADITIONAL CONCEPTS INTO THE REFORM OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Whereas, there is a national consensus that education in our country is not adequate to prepare our students for life in the Twenty-first Century; and

Whereas, logic mandates that we transmit to upcoming generations knowledge of the past as the lessons of history create a perspective on human existence and an understanding of the world in which we live -- "To know nothing of what happened before you were born is to remain forever a child."; and

Whereas, we should ensure that our young are grounded in knowledge, appreciation, and understanding of our culture and those ideas and events that caused the birth of our nation -- "A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy, or perhaps, both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives."; and

Whereas, the "restructuring" of our schools, using experimental programs that have not been proven to be of benefit in creating a literate society, can defeat the true reform of education called for by our leaders and citizens and prove an unwise expenditure of limited tax dollars; and

Whereas, scholarly, scientific research and exemplary schools can lead us to responsible, valid decisions on education reform; and

Whereas, our goal is "To make the best that has been thought and known in the world current everywhere.". Now, therefore,

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

SECTION 1. The State Superintendent of Education and the State Board of Education shall integrate the following traditional concepts into any reform of the public schools:

(A) The implicit curriculum should include teaching:

(1) self-reliance, self-responsibility, self-discipline, and self-respect;

(2) good citizenship;

(3) good character;

(4) respect for, and obedience to, authority;

(5) the importance of the work ethic in achieving personal goals;

(6) the existence of absolute values of right and wrong;

(7) total abstinence from destructive behavior;

(8) the importance of the family as the core of society; and

(9) the importance of establishing a stable marriage before childbearing.

(B) The explicit curriculum should include teaching:

(1) a solid core academic curriculum that can truly be described as being rich in content, tough, solid, and stringent;

(2) reading skills taught using the intensive phonics method, a method that research has proven best develops reading literacy and dramatically decreases the need for remediation;

(3) reading comprehension using selections that are challenging and exciting, using compelling narrative, and telling things that matter, i.e., myths, fables, tales of heroes, drama, as well as examples of graceful and elegant use of the English language;

(4) essay and theme writing;

(5) penmanship;

(6) classical literature, which embodies the wisdom of the ages and teaches our cultural heritage;

(7) basic arithmetic skills with an emphasis on mental and written computation and memorization as well as strategies for solving complicated math problems;

(8) math and the sciences with basic concepts taught in the elementary grades;

(9) geography, beginning with the borders of the United States;

(10) history and civics including American history, western civilization, principles of American democracy, and world history;

(11) economics, with an emphasis on the benefits of the free market economic system in comparison to other economic systems;

(12) foreign languages;

(13) computer literacy;

(14) fine arts; and

(15) physical education and health.

SECTION 2. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.