The General Assembly finds that South Carolinians have a commitment to public education and a conviction that high expectations for all students are vital components for improving academic achievement. It is the purpose of the General Assembly in this chapter to establish a performance-based accountability system for public education which focuses on improving teaching and learning so that students are equipped with a strong academic foundation. Moreover, to meet the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate, all students graduating from public high schools in this State should have the knowledge, skills, and opportunity to be college ready, career ready, and life ready for success in the global, digital, and knowledge-based world of the twenty-first century as provided in Section 59-1-50. All graduates should have the opportunity to qualify for and be prepared to succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing college courses, without the need for remedial coursework, postsecondary job training, or significant on-the-job training. Accountability, as defined by this chapter, means acceptance of the responsibility for improving student performance and taking actions to improve classroom practice and school performance by the Governor, the General Assembly, the State Department of Education, colleges and universities, local school boards, administrators, teachers, parents, students, and the community.
HISTORY: 1998 Act No. 400, Section 2; 2008 Act No. 282, Section 1, eff June 5, 2008; 2017 Act No. 94 (H.3969), Section 4, eff June 10, 2017.
Effect of Amendment
The 2008 amendment reprinted this section with no apparent change.
2017 Act No. 94, Section 4, amended the section, providing additional purposes concerning the profile of the South Carolina graduate.
Structure South Carolina Code of Laws
Chapter 18 - Education Accountability Act
Section 59-18-110. Objectives.
Section 59-18-120. Definitions.
Section 59-18-300. Adoption of educational standards in core academic areas.
Section 59-18-325. College entrance and career readiness assessments; summative assessments.
Section 59-18-355. Content standards revisions; required approval.
Section 59-18-360. Dissemination of assessment results.
Section 59-18-700. Alignment of criteria for instructional materials with educational standards.
Section 59-18-710. Recommendations regarding state's accreditation system.
Section 59-18-930. Publication of report cards; issuance date; advertising results.
Section 59-18-1100. Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards Program established; criteria.
Section 59-18-1130. Use of funds appropriated for professional development.
Section 59-18-1300. District accountability system; support, development, and review.
Section 59-18-1500 to 59-18-1610. Repealed.
Section 59-18-1615. Definitions.
Section 59-18-1630. Schools receiving overall unsatisfactory rating.
Section 59-18-1635. State-of-education emergency declarations for schools.
Section 59-18-1640. State-of-education emergency declarations for districts.
Section 59-18-1700. Public information campaign; development and approval; funding.
Section 59-18-1910. Homework centers.
Section 59-18-1940. Pilot district accountability models.