Bill Text: SC H3794 | 2019-2020 | 123rd General Assembly | Introduced

South Carolina House Bill 3794 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Parental Involvement in Their Children's Education

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-01-29 - Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works [H3794 Detail]

Download: South_Carolina-2019-H3794-Introduced.html

A BILL

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-28-115 SO AS TO PROVIDE A NECESSARY DEFINITION IN THE "PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION ACT"; TO AMEND SECTION 59-28-180, RELATING TO PARENTAL EXPECTATIONS IN THE ACT, SO AS TO REQUIRE SCHOOLS PROVIDE PARENTS WITH A RELATED PLEDGE OF PARENTAL EXPECTATIONS DURING ANNUAL REGISTRATION BEGINNING WITH THE 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 28, Title 59 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 59-28-115. For purposes of this chapter, 'parent' means the biological parent, stepparent, legal custodian, or other person responsible for the welfare of a child in a parental capacity, excluding an individual whose parental relationship to the child has been legally terminated."

SECTION 2. Section 59-28-180 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 59-28-180. (A) Parent involvement influences student learning and academic performance; therefore, parents are expected to:

(1) uphold high expectations for academic achievement;

(2) expect and communicate expectations for success;

(3) recognize that parental involvement in middle and high school is equally as critical as in elementary school;

(4) ensure attendance and punctuality;

(5) attend parent-teacher conferences;

(6) monitor and check homework;

(7) communicate with the school and teachers;

(8) build partnerships with teachers to promote successful school experiences;

(9) attend, when possible, school events;

(10) model desirable behaviors;

(11) use encouraging words;

(12) stimulate thought and curiosity; and

(13) show support for school expectations and efforts to increase student learning.

(B) During the annual school registration process or whenever a student is registered in a school, the school shall provide each parent who enrolls a child in the school a printed 'Pledge of Parental Expectations' that the State Department of Education shall develop, in which a parent may affirmatively commit to meeting the expectations outlined in subsection (A). The school shall encourage parents to sign the pledge and emphasize its importance during any orientation or open house events."

SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval of the Governor and is applicable beginning with the 2019-2020 School Year.