Bill 879

                    Current Status

Bill Number:               879
Ratification Number:       454
Act Number:                411
Introducing Body:          Senate
Subject:                   Relating to minimum hours and use of the
                           school day

(A411, R454, S879)

AN ACT AMEND SECTION 59-1-440, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO MINIMUM HOURS AND USE OF THE SCHOOL DAY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS MAY REDUCE THE LENGTH OF THE INSTRUCTIONAL DAY TO NOT LESS THAN THREE HOURS ON NOT MORE THAN THREE DAYS EACH SCHOOL YEAR FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADMINISTERING END-OF-YEAR EXAMINATIONS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT PRIORITY DURING THE INSTRUCTIONAL DAY MUST BE GIVEN TO TEACHING AND LEARNING TASKS.

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

Instructional day

SECTION 1. Section 59-1-440 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 107 of 1985, is further amended to read:

"Section 59-1-440. The instructional day for secondary students must be at least six hours, excluding lunch. The school day for elementary students must be at least six hours, including lunch. Elementary and secondary schools may reduce the length of the instructional day to not less than three hours on not more than three days each school year for the purpose of administering end-of-year examinations.

Priority during the instructional day must be given to teaching and learning tasks. Class interruptions must be limited only to emergencies. Volunteer blood drives as determined by the principal may be conducted at times which would not interfere with classroom instruction such as study period, lunch period, and before and after school."

Time effective

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon approval by the Governor.