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S. 1311
STATUS INFORMATION
Joint Resolution
Sponsors: Senator Matthews
Document Path: l:\council\bills\ggs\22429sj06.doc
Companion/Similar bill(s): 1313
Introduced in the Senate on April 5, 2006
Currently residing in the Senate Committee on Education
Summary: School Day Educational and Enrichment Pilot Program
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number
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4/5/2006 Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-7
4/5/2006 Senate Referred to Committee on Education SJ-7
View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
TO ESTABLISH AN EXTENDED SCHOOL DAY EDUCATIONAL AND ENRICHMENT PILOT PROGRAM TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION THROUGH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
Whereas, educational and enrichment programs are known to assist students in meeting State and local academic achievement standards in core academic subjects, such as reading, language arts, social studies, science, and mathematics; and
Whereas, educational and enrichment programs offer additional services, programs, and activities such as youth development activities, drug and violence prevention programs, mentoring, counseling programs, art, music, and recreation programs, technology education programs, and character education programs, that are designed to complement the regular academic program of students; and
Whereas, educational and enrichment programs are known to provide an educational and literacy component through tutoring or homework assistance in the following subject areas: language arts, mathematics, history and social studies, or science, or a combination of these subjects; and
Whereas, educational and enrichment programs are designed to supplement the academic day with program resources that reinforce learning through a creative and fun approach; and
Whereas, educational and enrichment programs provide safe and supportive environments with opportunities for positive growth and success to embrace a solid education, and a solid education is critical for the children of South Carolina. Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
(A) There is established the Extended School Day Educational and Enrichment Pilot Program to be administered by the State Department of Education through participating school districts. The program must be developed and implemented within schools already in receipt of federal funding from Twenty-First Century Community Center Learning Grants and must begin in the 2006-2007 school year.
(B) In order to participate in the pilot program, schools shall meet the following requirements:
(1) The program must include all students enrolled in the participating school.
(2) The program must commence immediately upon the conclusion of the regular school day, and operate a minimum of fifteen hours per week, and at least until six o'clock p.m. on every regular school day.
(3) Elementary students shall attend three hours per day and participate in the full program, except when released in accordance with the early-release policy.
(4) Middle schools may adopt a flexible schedule to meet students' needs and interests. Students who participate in after-school activities shall attend at least three days per week for a total of nine hours to accomplish program goals; however, the program must remain operational five days per week and three hours per day and at least until six o'clock p.m. on every regular school day.
(5) Participating school districts shall follow attendance guidelines as designated by the State Department of Education.
(6) The educational and literacy component provides tutoring or homework assistance in language arts, mathematics, history and social studies, or science, or a combination of these subjects.
(7) The educational enrichment component may include, but is not limited to, recreation and prevention activities. These activities might involve the visual and performing arts, music, physical activity, health promotion, general recreation, career awareness and work preparation activities, community service-learning, and other youth development activities based on students' needs and interests.
(8) Both the educational enrichment and educational literacy components must be integrated with the school's curriculum, instruction, and learning support activities.
(9) Participating schools shall provide bus transportation for students.
(C) Participation must be awarded on the basis of written grant request proposals submitted by school districts to and approved by the Department of Education. The application must include a plan for implementing a modified day that provides more time for student learning, learning opportunities that typically are not available during the regular student day, targeted assistance for students whose academic performance is significantly below promotion standards, more efficient use of facilities and other resources, and evaluations of the impact of the modified schedule. Funding for the program is as provided by the General Assembly in the annual appropriations act. It is the intent of the General Assembly for each grant awarded for participation in the pilot program or implementation to be funded for at least four years.
(D) The Extended School Day Educational and Enrichment Pilot Program must be established in not more than six schools, two of which must be middle schools and four must be elementary schools. Middle schools must consist of one rural school and one urban school. Elementary schools must consist of two rural schools and two urban schools.
(E) There must be a mid-year status report of implementation at the completion of the first half of the school year. The report must be provided to the State Board of Education, the Governor, the Senate Education Committee, the House Education and Public Works Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, and the House Ways and Means Committee.
(F) The Education Oversight Committee shall review the Extended School Day Educational and Enrichment Pilot Program after its third year has been completed in order to evaluate programmatic success and shall make recommendations for needed changes, if any. The review must be provided to the State Board of Education, the State Department of Education, the Governor, the Senate Education Committee, the House Education and Public Works Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, and the House Ways and Means Committee as soon as feasible after review of pilot programs.
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