H 4657 General Bill, By  House Education and Public Works
 A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION
 59-17-135 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS OF TRUSTEES ARE ENCOURAGED
 TO DEVELOP POLICIES ADDRESSING CHARACTER EDUCATION; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER
 IN WHICH THESE POLICIES SHALL BE DEVELOPED, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE
 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL FURNISH ASSISTANCE TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THIS
 REGARD.

   02/22/00  House  Introduced, read first time, placed on calendar
                     without reference HJ-7
   02/24/00  House  Requests for debate-Rep(s). Sheheen, Bales,
                     Moody-Lawrence, Walker, Robinson, J. Smith, and
                     Cobb-Hunter HJ-21
   03/08/00  House  Read second time HJ-65
   03/08/00  House  Roll call Yeas-97  Nays-0 HJ-68
   03/09/00  House  Read third time and sent to Senate HJ-23
   03/14/00  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-21
   03/14/00  Senate Referred to Committee on Education SJ-21

February 22, 2000

H. 4657

S. Printed 2/22/00--H.

Read the first time February 22, 2000.

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-17-135 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS OF TRUSTEES ARE ENCOURAGED TO DEVELOP POLICIES ADDRESSING CHARACTER EDUCATION; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH THESE POLICIES SHALL BE DEVELOPED, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL FURNISH ASSISTANCE TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THIS REGARD.

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

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 59-17-135. (A) The General Assembly finds:

(1) the schools of South Carolina must provide the safest environment possible for students to learn;

(2) teaching positive character traits is essential to improving the learning environment, promoting student achievement, reducing disciplinary problems, and developing civic-minded students;

(3) schools must be encouraged to instill the highest character and academic excellence in each student, in close cooperation with the student's parents; and

(4) elected officials, community and civic leaders, business leaders, religious institutions, youth organizations, government, media, and citizens-at-large must be encouraged to become actively involved in creating an atmosphere which encourages positive character development through every sector of the community.

(B) Each local school board of trustees of the State is encouraged to develop a policy addressing character education. Any character education program implemented by a district as a result of an adopted policy shall, to the extent possible, incorporate character traits including, but not limited to, the following: respect for others, honesty, self-control, cleanliness, courtesy, good manners, cooperation, citizenship, patriotism, courage, fairness, kindness, self-respect, compassion, tolerance, diligence, generosity, punctuality, cheerfulness, patience, sportsmanship, loyalty, and virtue. Local school boards must include all sectors of the community as referenced in subsection (A)(4) in the development of a policy and in the development of any program implemented as a result of the policy. As part of any policy and program developed by the local school board, an evaluation component shall be included.

(C) Upon request, the State Department of Education shall provide to the school districts of the State information on programs, curriculums, and resources that currently is available. In addition, the State Department of Education shall provide to the school districts of the State information on best practices and successful programs currently being implemented."

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