S 671

Abstract

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "LANGUAGE EQUALITY AND ACQUISITION FOR DEAF KIDS (LEAD-K) ACT"; BY AMENDING CHAPTER 36, TITLE 59, RELATING TO PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES, BY ADDING ARTICLE 3, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL JOINTLY SELECT LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES AS RESOURCES FOR PARENTS OF DEAF OR HARD-OF-HEARING CHILDREN TO USE TO MONITOR AND TRACK CERTAIN LANGUAGE ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES TOWARD THE ENGLISH LITERACY OF THOSE CHILDREN, TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO SOLICIT INPUT FROM EXPERTS ON SELECTING CERTAIN LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES FOR DEAF OR HARD-OF-HEARING CHILDREN, TO PROVIDE FOR THE COMPOSITION AND OTHER DUTIES OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, TO IMPOSE RELATED REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ON THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AND TO PROVIDE THAT IMPLEMENTATION IS CONTINGENT ON FUNDING, AMONG OTHER THINGS; TO DESIGNATE THE EXISTING PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 36, TITLE 1, AS "ARTICLE 1, GENERAL PROVISIONS"; AND TO PROVIDE A TIMELINE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES.