South Carolina Code of Laws
Chapter 18 - Education Accountability Act
Section 59-18-300. Adoption of educational standards in core academic areas.

The State Board of Education is directed to adopt grade specific performance-oriented educational standards in the core academic areas of mathematics, English/language arts, social studies (history, government, economics, and geography), and science for kindergarten through twelfth grade and for grades nine through twelve adopt specific academic standards for high school credit courses in mathematics, English/language arts, social studies, and science. The standards are to promote the goals of providing every student with the competencies to:
(1) read, view, and listen to complex information in the English language;
(2) write and speak effectively in the English language;
(3) solve problems by applying mathematics;
(4) conduct research and communicate findings;
(5) understand and apply scientific concepts;
(6) obtain a working knowledge of world, United States, and South Carolina history, government, economics, and geography; and
(7) use information to make decisions.
The standards must be reflective of the highest level of academic skills with the rigor necessary to improve the curriculum and instruction in South Carolina's schools so that students are encouraged to learn at unprecedented levels and must be reflective of the highest level of academic skills at each grade level.
HISTORY: 1998 Act No. 400, Section 2; 2008 Act No. 282, Section 1, eff June 5, 2008.
Effect of Amendment
The 2008 amendment in the introductory paragraph, substituted "high school credit courses" for "benchmark courses".

Structure South Carolina Code of Laws

South Carolina Code of Laws

Title 59 - Education

Chapter 18 - Education Accountability Act

Section 59-18-100. Performance based accountability system for public education established; "accountability" defined.

Section 59-18-110. Objectives.

Section 59-18-120. Definitions.

Section 59-18-300. Adoption of educational standards in core academic areas.

Section 59-18-310. Development or adoption of statewide assessment program to promote student learning and measure student performance.

Section 59-18-320. Review of field test; general administration of test; accommodations for students with disabilities; adoption of new standards.

Section 59-18-325. College entrance and career readiness assessments; summative assessments.

Section 59-18-330. Coordination and annual administration of National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP).

Section 59-18-340. PSAT, pre-ACT, or tenth grade Aspire tests to assess tenth grade students; availability; use of results.

Section 59-18-350. Cyclical review of state standards and assessments; analysis of assessment results.

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 59-18-900. Annual report cards; performance ratings; criteria; annual school progress narrative; trustee training; data regulations; military-connected student performance reports.

Section 59-18-910. Cyclical review of accountability system; stakeholders; development of necessary skills and characteristics.

Section 59-18-920. Report card requirements for charter, alternative, and career and technology schools.

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 59-18-1110. Grant of flexibility of receiving exemption from regulations; criteria; continuation of and removal from flexibility status.

Section 59-18-1120. Grant of flexibility of exemption from regulations and statutes to school designated as school/district at-risk; extension to other schools.

Section 59-18-1130. Use of funds appropriated for professional development.

Section 59-18-1300. District accountability system; support, development, and review.

Section 59-18-1310. Consolidation of strategic plans and improvement reports; annual submission dates.

Section 59-18-1500 to 59-18-1610. Repealed.

Section 59-18-1615. Definitions.

Section 59-18-1620. Implementation of tiered system for providing technical and other assistance, professional development, and monitoring for schools and districts; reports.

Section 59-18-1625. Designation as an underperforming school or district; notification; turnaround plan; revised strategic plan.

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 59-18-1920. Modified school year or school day schedule; grant program established; application; implementation plan.

Section 59-18-1930. Review of state and local professional development; recommendations for improvement.

Section 59-18-1940. Pilot district accountability models.

Section 59-18-1950. Longitudinal data system.

Section 59-18-1960. School growth measurement system.