Bill Text: SC S0985 | 2019-2020 | 123rd General Assembly | Introduced

South Carolina Senate Bill 985 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Statutory school term

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-01-14 - Referred to Committee on Education [S0985 Detail]

Download: South_Carolina-2019-S0985-Introduced.html

A BILL

TO AMEND SECTION 59-1-425, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE STATUTORY SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR, SO AS TO PROVIDE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS SHALL ESTABLISH TWELVE-MONTH CYCLES FOR SCHOOLS OPERATING ON YEAR-ROUND MODIFIED SCHOOL CALENDARS, AND TO PROVIDE SUCH CYCLES MAY NOT INCLUDE MORE THAN FOUR CONSECUTIVE WEEKS WITHOUT REQUIRING ATTENDANCE BY TEACHERS, STAFF, AND STUDENTS.

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

SECTION 1. Section 59-1-425(A) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(A) A local school district board of trustees of the State has the authority to establish an annual school calendar for teachers, staff, and students. The statutory school term is one hundred ninety days annually and must consist of a minimum of one hundred eighty days of instruction covering at least nine calendar months, except schools operating on a year-round modified school calendar, for which the local board of trustees must establish a twelve-month cycle that may not include more than four consecutive weeks without requiring attendance by teachers, staff, and students. However, beginning with the 2007-2008 School Year, the opening date for students must not be before the third Monday in August, except for schools operating on a year-round modified school calendar. Three days must be used for collegial professional development based upon the educational standards as required by Section 59-18-300. The professional development must address, at a minimum, academic achievement standards including strengthening teachers' knowledge in their content area, teaching techniques, and assessment. No more than two days may be used for preparation of opening of schools and the remaining five days may be used for teacher planning, academic plans, and parent conferences. The number of instructional hours in an instructional day may vary according to local board policy and does not have to be uniform among the schools in the district."

SECTION 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2020.