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Abstract

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-155-110, RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA READ TO SUCCEED OFFICE AND THE COMPREHENSIVE READING PROGRAM IMPLEMENTED BY THE OFFICE, SO AS TO ELIMINATE THE OFFICE, TO PROVIDE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM, AND TO REVISE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROGRAM; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-155-120, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS CONCERNING THE STATEWIDE READING PROGRAM, SO AS TO REVISE VARIOUS DEFINITIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-155-130, RELATING TO FUNCTIONS OF THE PROGRAM FOR WHICH THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS IN IMPLEMENTING THE PROVISIONS OF THE PROGRAM, SO AS TO REVISE THE FUNCTIONS AND TO PROVIDE DISTRICTS THAT FAIL TO MEET REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ON READING CAMPS ARE INELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE STATE FUNDING FOR THE CAMPS DURING THE FOLLOWING FISCAL YEAR BUT SHALL CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE CAMPS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-155-140, RELATING TO COMPONENTS OF THE PROGRAM, SO AS TO REQUIRE ANNUAL APPROVAL BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, TO REVISE CERTAIN COMPONENTS, AND TO REVISE OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROGRAM; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-155-150, RELATING TO DUTIES OF THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT TO ENSURE CERTAIN READINESS ASSESSMENTS ARE ADMINISTERED WITHIN THE FIRST FORTY-FIVE DAYS OF SCHOOL, SO AS TO PROVIDE DISTRICTS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS MAY REQUEST WAIVERS FROM STATUTORY ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS TO SCHEDULE THE ASSESSMENTS, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY ADDING SECTION 59-155-155 SO AS TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NUMBER OF UNIVERSAL READING SCREENERS THAT DISTRICTS MAY USE, TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR SCREENERS, TO PROVIDE DISTRICTS SHALL ADMINISTER SCREENERS AT LEAST THREE TIMES DURING EACH SCHOOL YEAR IN CERTAIN INTERVALS, TO PROVIDE RELATED REQUIREMENTS OF THE DEPARTMENT, AND TO PROVIDE FOR ALTERNATE ASSESSMENT AND PROGRESS MONITORING TOOLS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-155-160, RELATING TO MANDATORY RETENTION PROVISIONS FOR THIRD GRADERS WHO FAIL TO DEMONSTRATE READING PROFICIENCY, SO AS TO REVISE EXEMPTIONS AND EXEMPTION PROCESSES, TO PROVIDE SERVICES AND SUPPORT THAT MUST BE PROVIDED TO RETAINED STUDENTS, TO PROVIDE RETAINED STUDENTS SHALL ENROLL IN SUMMER READING CAMPS, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-155-170, RELATING TO THE REQUIREMENT OF TEACHERS IN CERTAIN CONTENT AREAS MASTER CERTAIN READING COMPREHENSION INSTRUCTION PRACTICES AND ASSIST IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE PROVISIONS, SO AS TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT, AMONG OTHER THINGS, AND TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT SHALL IMPLEMENT CERTAIN FOUNDATIONAL LITERACY SKILLS TRAINING FOR ALL KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THIRD GRADE TEACHERS CERTIFIED IN CERTAIN TEACHING AREAS, AND TO PROVIDE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THIS TRAINING SHALL SATISFY LITERACY ENDORSEMENT REQUIREMENTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-155-180, RELATING TO LITERACY READING COACHES, SO AS TO REVISE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COACHES, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-155-200, RELATING TO THE PROMOTION OF READING AND WRITING HABITS AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, SO AS TO REMOVE FAMILY SUPPORT PROVISIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-155-210, RELATING TO STANDARDS, PRACTICES, AND PROCEDURES DEVELOPED BY THE BOARD AND DEPARTMENT TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM, SO AS TO REMOVE THE BOARD FROM THE PROVISIONS, AMONG OTHER THINGS; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 59-18-310, RELATING TO ASSESSMENTS REQUIRED IN THE EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY ACT, SO AS TO REVISE ASSESSMENTS AND THEIR USES, AMONG OTHER THINGS. - RATIFIED TITLE