Bill 1191

                    Current Status

Bill Number:               1191
Ratification Number:       566
Act Number                 502
Introducing Body:          Senate
Subject:                   Interscholastic activities, requirement
                           for participation

(A502, R566, S1191)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 59-39-160, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES IN GRADES NINE THROUGH TWELVE, SO AS TO EXTEND ELIGIBILITY TO A STUDENT PASSING FIVE ACADEMIC COURSES AND WHO MAINTAINED AN OVERALL PASSING AVERAGE FOR ALL COURSES TAKEN IN THE PRECEDING SEMESTER.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Interscholastic activities, requirement for participation

SECTION 1. Section 59-39-160 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 59-39-160. To participate in interscholastic activities, students in grades nine through twelve must achieve an overall passing average either:

(1) pass at least four academic courses, including each unit the student takes that is required for graduation; or

(2) pass a total of five academic courses. Students must satisfy these conditions in the semester preceding participation in the interscholastic activity, if the interscholastic activity occurs completely within one semester or in the semester preceding the first semester of participation in an interscholastic activity if the interscholastic activity occurs over two consecutive semesters and is under the jurisdiction of the South Carolina High School League.

Academic courses are those courses of instruction for which credit toward high school graduation is given. These may be required or approved electives. All activities currently under the jurisdiction of the South Carolina High School League remain in effect. The monitoring of all other interscholastic activities is the responsibility of the local boards of trustees. Those students diagnosed as handicapped in accordance with the criteria established by the State Board of Education and satisfying the requirements of the their Individual Education Plan (IEP) as required by Public Law 94-142 are permitted to participate in interscholastic activities. A local school board of trustees may impose more stringent standards than those contained in this section for participation in interscholastic activities by students in grades nine through twelve."

Time effective

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.