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TO AMEND SECTION 59-39-160, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATING IN INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES BY STUDENTS IN GRADES NINE THROUGH TWELVE, SO AS TO REQUIRE STUDENTS TO HAVE AN OVERALL "C" AVERAGE IN THE PRECEDING SEMESTER AND HAVE PASSED AT LEAST FOUR ACADEMIC COURSES INCLUDING EACH UNIT TAKEN WHICH IS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION, TO PROVIDE THAT EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL PROVIDE ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE STUDENTS WHO DESIRE TO PARTICIPATE BUT WHO HAVE NOT MAINTAINED A "C" AVERAGE IN THE PRECEDING SEMESTER, AND TO PROVIDE FOR A WAIVER IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 59-39-160 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 59-39-160. To participate in interscholastic activities, students in grades nine through twelve must achieve an overall passing 'C' average in the preceding semester and either must have passed:
(1) pass at least four academic courses, including each unit the student takes that is required for graduation; or
(2) pass a total of five academic courses. Students must satisfy these conditions in the semester preceding participation in the interscholastic activity, if the interscholastic activity occurs completely within one semester or in the semester preceding the first semester of participation in an interscholastic activity if the interscholastic activity occurs over two consecutive semesters and is under the jurisdiction of the South Carolina High School League.
Each school district shall provide academic assistance for those students who aspire to participate but have not maintained a 'C' average in the preceding semester. Academic courses are those courses of instruction for which credit toward high school graduation is given. These may be required or approved electives. All activities currently under the jurisdiction of the South Carolina High School League remain in effect. The monitoring of all other interscholastic activities is the responsibility of the local boards of trustees. Those students diagnosed as handicapped disabled in accordance with the criteria established by the State Board of Education and satisfying the requirements of their Individual Education Plan (IEP) as required by Public Law 94-142 are permitted to participate in interscholastic activities. A local school board of trustees may impose more stringent standards than those contained in this section for participation in interscholastic activities by students in grades nine through twelve.
The State Board of Education may grant a waiver of the requirements of this section. This waiver may be granted only when a written statement from a school district superintendent and athletic director has been received stating that a student's ineligibility to participate in interscholastic activities is due to misinformation concerning eligibility requirements being provided by district personnel. The State Board of Education shall establish guidelines to administer this section."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect beginning with school year 2005-06.
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