The bill S. 423 aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding a new section, 59-18-130, which establishes provisions for students identified as English Language Learners (ELLs). Under this new section, ELL students, defined as individuals aged three to twenty-one who are enrolled in school and whose native language is not English, will be entitled to take certain assessments in their native language. Specifically, they will have the option to receive oral translations for math, science, and social studies assessments, and they will be allowed to take language arts assessments in their native language instead of the standard English Language Arts (ELA) assessments. Importantly, ELL students will not be required to take the ELA assessments mandated by the Education Accountability Act.

Additionally, the bill amends Section 1-1-698 to ensure that existing laws do not prohibit educational instruction in languages other than English, thereby supporting the goal of making students proficient in English while also recognizing the importance of their native languages. The provisions of this act are set to take effect in the 2026-2027 school year, pending approval by the Governor.

Statutes affected:
03/05/2025: 59-18-130, 1-1-698
Latest Version: 59-18-130, 1-1-698