§ 59-5-160 — Graduation of children who are new to South Carolina.

(A) In order to facilitate the on-time graduation of children of families who have moved to South Carolina during the child's twelfth grade year, the State Board of Education may: (1) waive specific courses required for graduation if those courses were not specifically required for graduation in the student's most recent state of residence; however, the state board may not waive the number of courses required in ELA, math, and science. If a student does not have sufficient course credit to be issued a South Carolina diploma, the state board, to the extent possible, shall provide an alternative means of acquiring required coursework so that the student could receive a South Carolina high school diploma and graduation may occur on time; and (2) may accept exit exams, end-of-course exams, or alternative testing required for graduation from the sending state in lieu of South Carolina testing requirements for graduation provided that all portions of these exams necessary for graduation from the sending state have been satisfactorily met. (B) In the event the alternatives provided in subsection (A) cannot be accommodated after all alternatives have been considered, the State Board of Education shall work with other state boards and departments of education to help facilitate the receipt of a diploma from the sending state if the student meets the graduation requirements of that state. (C) The State Board of Education shall develop guidelines and subsequent regulations to comply with the provisions of this section.

Legislative History

HISTORY: 2010 Act No. 246, SECTION 2, eff July 1, 2010. Editor's Note 2010 Act 246, SECTION 5, provides as follows: "This act takes effect July 1, 2010, contingent upon available funding and agreement by the Interstate Commission to SECTION 3 of this act."