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INTRODUCED
February 11, 2016
H. 4939
S. Printed 2/11/16--H. [SEC 2/16/16 8:57 AM]
Read the first time February 11, 2016.
TO ESTABLISH A COMMITTEE COMPOSED OF SPECIFIED MEMBERS TO REVIEW ALL EXISTING STATE EDUCATION STATUTES AND REPORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THOSE WHICH ARE OBSOLETE OR NO LONGER APPLICABLE; AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL DEVELOP THE SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING SERVICES AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS ON A REGIONAL BASIS TO INCLUDE ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE AND ASSISTANCE WITH FINANCES, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION SHALL REPORT THE DESIGN OF THE SYSTEM TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 31, 2016, AND EVERY YEAR THEREAFTER REPORT THE PROGRESS OF THE SYSTEM IN REGARD TO ASSISTANCE PROVIDED TO LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND ALSO TO REQUIRE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL MONITOR THE OPERATIONS OF SCHOOL BOARDS IN UNDERPERFORMING DISTRICTS TO DETERMINE IF THEY ARE OPERATING EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHALL MONITOR THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF TEACHERS, STAFF, AND ADMINISTRATORS IN DISTRICTS IT DETERMINES ARE UNDERPERFORMING TO ASCERTAIN WHAT IMPROVEMENTS AND CHANGES ARE NECESSARY.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. The General Assembly directs the State Superintendent of Education, the executive director of the Education Oversight Committee, the chairman of the House Education and Public Works Committee, and the chairman of the Senate Education Committee to each appoint one representative to a committee to be chaired by the appointee of the State Superintendent of Education to review Title 59 of the South Carolina Code of Laws and report to the General Assembly all statutes that are obsolete or no longer applicable. This report must be submitted by December 31, 2016, and updated at least every five years thereafter.
SECTION 2. (A) The State Department of Education shall develop a system for providing services and technical assistance to districts that shall include academic assistance and assistance with finances. The State Superintendent of Education shall report the design of the system to the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2016. Every year thereafter, the Superintendent shall report on the progress of the system in regard to assistance provided to the local school districts and data documenting the impact of the assistance on student academic achievement and on high school graduation rates.
(B) In addition to the provisions of subsection (A), the State Department of Education shall monitor the professional development of teachers, staff, and administrators in districts it determines are underperforming to ascertain what improvements and changes are necessary in accordance with the provisions of the Education Accountability Act. The department also shall monitor the operations of school boards in underperforming districts in order to determine if they are operating efficiently and effectively. These improvements and changes must be communicated to the school districts and other parties or entities involved.
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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