The system is to:
(1) use academic achievement standards to push schools and students toward higher performance by aligning the state assessment to those standards and linking policies and criteria for performance standards, accreditation, reporting, school rewards, and targeted assistance;
(2) provide an annual report card with a performance indicator system that is logical, reasonable, fair, challenging, and technically defensible, which furnishes clear and specific information about school and district academic performance and other performance to parents and the public;
(3) require all districts to establish local accountability systems to stimulate quality teaching and learning practices and target assistance to low performing schools;
(4) provide resources to strengthen the process of teaching and learning in the classroom to improve student performance and reduce gaps in performance;
(5) support professional development as integral to improvement and to the actual work of teachers and school staff; and
(6) expand the ability to evaluate the system and to conduct in-depth studies on implementation, efficiency, and the effectiveness of academic improvement efforts.
HISTORY: 1998 Act No. 400, Section 2; 2008 Act No. 282, Section 1, eff June 5, 2008.
Effect of Amendment
The 2008 amendment reprinted this section with no apparent change.
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 Repealed.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.