The "South Carolina Transparency and Integrity in Education Act" seeks to improve educational transparency and integrity by establishing new requirements for curriculum content and training for school employees. It introduces a new Article 5 to Chapter 29 of Title 59, defining local education agencies (LEAs) and parents, while outlining prohibited concepts in educational materials, such as any notions of inherent superiority or privilege based on race, sex, or ethnicity. The bill mandates that instructional materials be age-appropriate and restricts mandatory gender or sexual diversity training unless it is part of a corrective action plan.

Furthermore, the bill amends Section 59-28-180 to highlight the importance of parental involvement in education, requiring a parental pledge during registration. It establishes a complaint process for violations, including a complaint form that LEAs must make available on their websites, and mandates that LEAs investigate complaints and report annually. The bill also prohibits the use of pornographic or prohibited content in schools and outlines disciplinary actions for violations. Additionally, it requires the department to review and update educational standards within six months of enactment, with the act taking effect upon the Governor's approval and applicable starting with the 2026-2027 school year.

Statutes affected:
12/05/2024: 59-28-180
Latest Version: 59-28-180