S.C. Code Regs. § § 43-231
Each school district board of trustees shall ensure quality schooling having a rigorous, relevant curriculum for all students.
Each school district shall examine the academic achievement standards adopted by the South Carolina State Board of Education. Elementary, middle, and high school faculty and staff shall work together to ensure that students are prepared to achieve these standards.
The curriculum for children PreK-K shall consist of experiences and activities which will enhance their physical, emotional, social, and intellectual growth and development and help each child attain, at his own rate of speed, the educational goals set for the primary school.
Instruction in the subject areas shall be scheduled for each student for a minimum of 1800 minutes or 30 hours per week including lunch, or the equivalent time on a yearly basis. The subjects shall include, but not be limited to:
English/Language Arts [FN1]
Mathematics
Science [FN2]
Social Studies [FN2]
Health and Safety [FN3]
Physical Education [FN4]
Visual & Performing Arts [FN5]
Foreign Language [FN6]
Schools must determine the amount of instructional time in a subject area as approved by the local board of trustees and the State Superintendent of Education. The school day must be at least six hours including lunch, or its equivalent weekly.
Through special instruction, schools shall provide age-appropriate instruction regarding the dangers in the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Instruction shall emphasize problems related to their use and effects upon the total community. Instruction shall be offered in all schools of the State and shall be studied and presented as thoroughly and in the same manner as all other required subjects in grades K-5.
A comprehensive guidance program including career awareness, is required in schools having any combination of grades K-5.
Library media programs and technology resources are required and accessible to all students and staff and are appropriate to achieve the strategies and goals in each school renewal or district strategic plan.
A school encompassing any combination of grades K-5 may implement an innovative approach if it is approved by the local board of trustees and is incorporated in the school and district plans.
Maximum class size shall not exceed the following:
a. | Grades K-3 | 30:1 | |
b. | Grades 4-5 | 30:1 | (English/language arts and mathematics) |
35:1 | (other subjects) | ||
40:1 | (physical education and music [FN*]) | ||
[FN*] Exception: When band, chorus, and orchestra require rehearsals of the entire membership, any number is acceptable if adequate space is available. | |||
Additional regulatory requirements related to the basic program include, but are not limited to, the following:
Gifted and Talented Regulation (43-220)
School-to-Work Regulation (43-225)
Health Education Requirement Regulation (43-238)
Summer Programs Regulation (43-240)
Special Education Regulations [FN*] (43-243 to 43-243.6)
Early Childhood Assistance Programs-Grade K-3 (43-267)
Academic Assistance Regulations-Grades 4-12 (43-268)
Full days missed because of weather or other circumstances must be made up. Early dismissal days shall be reported to the Director, Office of Organizational Development.
[FN1] English/Language Arts shall include reading, writing, listening and speaking.
[FN2] Environmental Education is required as an integral part of science, social studies, and health.
[FN3] Health and Safety shall include components as outlined in the Comprehensive Health Education Act
[FN4] Students who are physically or mentally unable to take the physical education course provided for the regular student shall take a suitably modified course in physical education. (Section 59-29-80, S.C. Code of Laws, 1976, as amended.)
[FN5] Visual and Performing Arts shall include, but not be limited to, music and art.
[FN6] Foreign Language as a separate course is recommended but not required. If a separate course is not offered, foreign languages should be incorporated in the basic curriculum.
[FN*] A teacher of children with disabilities in the resource or itinerant model shall be certified or have a permit in the area of handicapping condition in which the majority are classified, or be certified in one area of handicapping condition in which the teacher is teaching and successfully complete six semester hours annually toward certification in the area in which the majority of students are classified. Pupils participating in self-contained programs shall be of the same category of disability. The teacher must be certified or hold an out-of-field permit in the area of handicapping condition of the pupils served.
S.C. Code Regs. § 43-231