A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-101-415 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE COMMISSION On HIGHER EDUCATION AND STATE BOARD FOR TECHNICAL AND COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION ANNUALLY SHALL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND GENERAL ASSEMBLY CERTAIN INFORMATION DOCUMENTING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE INSTITUTIONS UNDER THEIR RESPECTIVE OVERSIGHT IN PREPARING STUDENTS FOR THE WORKFORCE, AND TO PROVIDE RELATED OBLIGATIONS OF THESE INSTITUTIONS.

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

SECTION 1.   Article 1, Chapter 101, Title 59 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

   Section 59-101-415.   (A)(1) Because public colleges and universities contribute to the development of the state's workforce, the Commission on Higher Education annually shall report to the Governor and General Assembly information that documents the performance of our public colleges and universities in preparing students for the workforce. To assist with the preparation of this report, each public college and university shall provide the following data and other data as requested by the commission for each recipient of an associate degree, bachelor's degree, master's degree, doctorate or professional degree, or other graduate degree awarded by the school in the preceding academic year:

         (a) the number of degrees earned by major;

         (b) information on whether such degree recipients in our State are pursuing another degree in our State or are employed in our State within twelve months of earning the initial degree;

         (c) information on whether such degree recipients participated in an apprenticeship or internship while enrolled in the degree program; and

         (d) information on the percentage of degree recipients employed in a career field related to their program of study.

      (2) The commission shall report the data collected by institution and major. The data also must distinguish between in-state and out-of-state degree recipients at each institution.

   (B) Because technical colleges contribute to the development of the State's workforce, the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education annually shall report to the Governor and General Assembly information that documents the performance of our technical colleges in preparing students for the workforce. To assist with the preparation of this report, each technical college annually shall provide the following data and other data as requested by the board for each recipient of an associate degree or industry credential awarded by the school in the preceding academic year:

      (1) the unduplicated number of students who earned an associate degree or industry credential in the preceding academic year. This data must include, at a minimum, the degrees earned by major and specific industry credential; and

      (2) the number of degree or industry credential recipients employed within twelve months of earning the degree or industry credential, to include the percentage of recipients employed in a career field related to their program of study.

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

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