(A) The school district board of trustees may adopt a policy that authorizes a student to be excused from school to attend a class in religious instruction conducted by a private entity if:
(1) the student's parent or guardian gives written consent;
(2) the sponsoring entity maintains attendance records and makes them available to the public school the student attends;
(3) transportation to and from the place of instruction, including transportation for students with disabilities, is the complete responsibility of the sponsoring entity, parent, or guardian;
(4) the sponsoring entity makes provisions for and assumes liability for the student who is excused; and
(5) no public funds are expended and no public school personnel are involved in providing the religious instruction.
(B) It is the responsibility of a participating student to make up any missed schoolwork. However, no student may be released from a core academic subject class to attend a religious instruction class. While in attendance in a religious instruction class pursuant to this section, a student is not considered to be absent from school.
HISTORY: 2002 Act No. 241, Section 2.
Structure South Carolina Code of Laws
Chapter 1 - General Provisions
Section 59-1-20. Purpose of South Carolina School Code.
Section 59-1-30. Construction.
Section 59-1-40. Scope of State system of public education.
Section 59-1-50. Educational achievement goals for high school graduates and students.
Section 59-1-110. "Private school" defined.
Section 59-1-120. "Public school" defined.
Section 59-1-130. "Teacher" defined.
Section 59-1-140. "Teacher aide" defined.
Section 59-1-160. "School district" defined.
Section 59-1-170. "State Board" defined.
Section 59-1-180. "State Educational Finance Commission" defined.
Section 59-1-190. "State Department" defined.
Section 59-1-200. "Scholastic year" defined.
Section 59-1-310. Superintendents of education may administer oaths and probate certain papers.
Section 59-1-320. Display of United States and State flags.
Section 59-1-325. Patriotic depictions in schools.
Section 59-1-330. Pledge to State flag.
Section 59-1-340. Meetings of boards of trustees and boards of education.
Section 59-1-350. Compensation of members of boards of trustees and boards of education.
Section 59-1-360. Audiovisual properties may be loaned.
Section 59-1-370. Closing of educational institutions on general election day.
Section 59-1-380. Mandatory tobacco and alternative nicotine product-free local school board policy.
Section 59-1-400. Sick leave for public school employees.
Section 59-1-405. Distribution of contraceptives on school grounds prohibited.
Section 59-1-410. "Teacher Recognition Day."
Section 59-1-425. Beginning and length of school term; make-up days; waiver; instructional days.
Section 59-1-435. Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act.
Section 59-1-441. Policy to permit student to deliver message.
Section 59-1-442. Policy to permit opening or closing message at school-sponsored athletic events.
Section 59-1-443. Schools shall provide minute of mandatory silence at beginning of each school day.
Section 59-1-445. Violations of mandatory test security; penalties; investigations.
Section 59-1-447. Regulations for mandatory test security procedures.
Section 59-1-450. Parent education programs.
Section 59-1-452. Public school employee cost savings program.
Section 59-1-453. Oversight Committee.
Section 59-1-454. Parental involvement program; parent/teacher conferences.
Section 59-1-455. Time for pledge of allegiance required.
Section 59-1-460. Excused school attendance for religious instruction.
Section 59-1-465. Youth patriotic societies; public school event addresses.
Section 59-1-470. Distribution of funds for deferred compensation.
Section 59-1-480. Lapsed funds; priority of use.
Section 59-1-490. Data use and governance policy.
Section 59-1-495. Committee to review Title 59 and related federal laws.
Section 59-1-510. Guidelines and regulations for recruiting and hiring staff in professional areas.