S 38

Abstract

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, SO AS TO ENACT THE "REINFORCING COLLEGE EDUCATION ON AMERICA'S CONSTITUTIONAL HERITAGE ACT" OR THE "REACH ACT"; TO AMEND SECTION 59-29-120, RELATING TO THE STUDY OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION, SO AS TO PROVIDE PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS SHALL PROVIDE INSTRUCTION CONCERNING THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION, THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION, AND THE FEDERALIST PAPERS TO EACH STUDENT FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR; TO AMEND SECTION 59-29-130, RELATING TO THE DURATION OF INSTRUCTION IN THE ESSENTIALS OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION, SO AS TO PROVIDE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING SHALL REQUIRE STUDENTS TO COMPLETE AT LEAST THREE CREDIT HOURS OF INSTRUCTION THAT PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE OVERVIEW OF THE MAJOR EVENTS AND TURNING POINTS OF AMERICAN HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT, TO INCLUDE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCH INSTRUCTION, TO PROVIDE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING MAY NOT GRANT CERTIFICATES OF GRADUATION FOR BACCALAUREATE DEGREE PROGRAMS TO STUDENTS WHO FAIL TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THIS INSTRUCTION REQUIREMENT, TO PROVIDE EXEMPTIONS, TO PROVIDE RELATED IMPLEMENTATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE GOVERNING BOARDS OF PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, TO PROVIDE RELATED OVERSIGHT AND COMPLIANCE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS OF THE COMMISSION OF HIGHER EDUCATION, AND TO SPECIFY THE STUDENTS TO WHICH THESE PROVISIONS APPLY; TO REPEAL SECTION 59-29-140 RELATING TO THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE PROGRAM OF STUDY OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION BY THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION; AND TO MAKE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT EFFECTIVE BEGINNING WITH THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR. - ratified title