Bill 654

                    Current Status

Introducing Body:               Senate
Bill Number:                    654
Ratification Number:            57
Act Number:                     27
Primary Sponsor:                Committee (04)
Type of Legislation:            GB
Subject:                        English, instructors to be
                                proficient in
Date Bill Passed both Bodies:   Mar 28, 1991
Computer Document Number:       CYY/18130.SD
Governor's Action:              S
Date of Governor's Action:      Apr 22, 1991
Introduced Date:                Feb 13, 1991
Date of Last Amendment:         Mar 21, 1991
Last History Body:              ------
Last History Date:              Apr 22, 1991
Last History Type:              Act No. 27
Scope of Legislation:           Statewide
Sponsor Committee:              Education
Sponsor Committee Number:       04
Type of Legislation:            General Bill

 Bill  Body    Date          Action Description              CMN
 ----  ------  ------------  ------------------------------  ---
 654   ------  Apr 22, 1991  Act No. 27
 654   ------  Apr 22, 1991  Signed by Governor
 654   ------  Apr 18, 1991  Ratified R 57
 654   House   Mar 28, 1991  Concurred in Senate
                             amendment, enrolled for
                             ratification
 654   Senate  Mar 21, 1991  House amendments amended,
                             returned to House
 654   House   Mar 19, 1991  Read third time, returned
                             with amendment
 654   House   Mar 07, 1991  Amended, read second time
 654   House   Mar 06, 1991  Debate adjourned until
                             Thursday, March 7
 654   House   Mar 05, 1991  Introduced, read first time,
                             placed on Calendar without
                             reference
 654   Senate  Feb 28, 1991  Amended, read third time,
                             sent to House
 654   Senate  Feb 26, 1991  Made Special Order
 654   Senate  Feb 19, 1991  Read second time, ordered to
                             third reading with notice of
                             general amendments
 654   Senate  Feb 14, 1991  Made Special Order
 654   Senate  Feb 13, 1991  Placed on Calendar without
                             reference
 654   Senate  Feb 13, 1991  Introduced, read first time

(A27, R57, S654)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-103-160 SO AS TO ENACT THE ENGLISH FLUENCY IN HIGHER LEARNING ACT INCLUDING PROVISIONS TO REQUIRE EACH PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING TO ESTABLISH POLICIES TO ENSURE THAT INSTRUCTIONAL FACULTY WHOSE SECOND LANGUAGE IS ENGLISH POSSESS ADEQUATE PROFICIENCY IN BOTH THE WRITTEN AND SPOKEN ENGLISH LANGUAGE, AND TO REQUIRE CERTAIN REPORTS TO BE FILED BY EACH INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING IN CONNECTION WITH THIS REQUIREMENT.

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

English Fluency in Higher Learning Act

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 59-103-160. (A) This section may be cited as the English Fluency in Higher Learning Act.

(B) The following words and phrases when used in this section have the meanings given to them unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

`Instructional faculty' means every member of a public institution of higher learning whose first language is not English, other than visiting faculty but including graduate teaching assistants, who teaches one or more undergraduate credit courses at a campus of that institution within this State except:

(1) courses that are designed to be taught predominately in a foreign language;

(2) student participatory and activity courses such as clinics, studios, and seminars;

(3) special arrangement courses such as individualized instruction and independent study courses; and

(4) continuing education courses.

(C) Each public institution of higher learning shall establish policies to:

(1) ensure that the instructional faculty whose second language is English possess adequate proficiency in both the written and spoken English language. Student and faculty input is required in establishing these policies.

(2) provide students with a grievance procedure regarding an instructor who is not able to write or speak the English language.

(D) (1) Each institution of higher learning must submit its policy or amendments to the Commission on Higher Education within six months from the effective date of this section. Any amendments to the policy must be promptly forwarded to the commission. The commission shall notify the chairmen of the Senate and House Education Committees of those institutions not submitting plans and any amendment to the commission.

(2) Each institution of higher learning must report annually to the Commission on Higher Education and the chairmen of the Senate and House of Representatives Education Committees grievances filed by students under the requirement of subsection (C)(2) and the disposition of those grievances."

Time effective

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

Approved the 22nd day of April, 1991.