Current Status Bill Number:186 Type of Legislation:General Bill GB Introducing Body:Senate Introduced Date:19970116 Primary Sponsor:Giese All Sponsors:Giese Drafted Document Number:council\legis\bills\gjk\23188sd .97 Residing Body:Senate Current Committee:Education Committee 04 SED Subject:Home school students, interscholastic activities, participation in; Schools and School Districts
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved
______ ________ _______________________________________ _______ ____________
Senate 19970116 Introduced, read first time, 04 SED
referred to Committee
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TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-65-55 SO AS TO PERMIT HOME SCHOOL STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN WHICH THE STUDENT RESIDES UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 59-65-55. (A) As used in this section:
(1) `Home school students' are those children taught in accordance with Section 59-65-40 or 59-65-45.
(2) `Interscholastic activities' includes, but is not limited to, athletics, music, speech, and other related activities.
(B) Home school students may not be denied by a school district the opportunity to participate in interscholastic activities if the student fulfills the following conditions:
(1) The student's home schooling program is in compliance with Section 59-65-40 or 59-65-45.
(2) The student meets all school district eligibility requirements with the exception of:
(a) the school district's school or class attendance requirements; and
(b) the class and enrollment requirements of the associations administering interscholastic activities.
(3) The home schooling parent-teacher must certify that the student being taught in accordance with Section 59-65-40 is making academic progress in a manner consistent with academic eligibility standards for students in the public school. The students must achieve at least the promotion standard prescribed for public school students by the State Board of Education as prescribed in Section 59-65-40. Students being taught in accordance with Section 59-65-45 must be certified by the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools as achieving academic and promotion standards as prescribed by this association.
(4) A public school student who has been unable to maintain academic eligibility is ineligible to participate in interscholastic activities as a home school student for the following year. To establish academic eligibility for subsequent school years, the student must meet the standards described in item (3) of this subsection to become eligible for the next year.
(5) The home school student is required to fulfill the same responsibilities and standards of behavior and performance, including related practice requirements, of other students participating in the interscholastic activities of the team or squad and is required to meet the same standards for acceptance on the team or squad.
(6) A home school student participating in interscholastic activities must reside within the attendance boundaries of the school for which the student participates."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.