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
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 Repealed.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.