The bill S. 708 proposes the addition of Section 59-19-370 to the South Carolina Code, allowing school districts to apply for flexibility waivers from certain statutory and regulatory requirements. This initiative aims to enhance student engagement, improve instructional quality, support teacher recruitment and retention, and enable innovative scheduling models. To obtain a waiver, districts must submit an application that includes a proposed instructional schedule, rationale for the flexibility, plans for meeting state academic standards, evaluation methods for student outcomes, and documentation of stakeholder engagement. The Department will review applications and can approve waivers if the proposed plans maintain or improve instructional quality and provide adequate support for teachers.

Additionally, the bill amends Section 59-21-20 to suspend the requirement for teacher contracts and student attendance to be based on a standard of one hundred ninety days for districts granted a flexibility waiver. This allows for alternative scheduling models, such as a four-day instructional week and ongoing professional development throughout the school year. Districts with approved waivers must submit annual reports on student achievement, teacher retention, and stakeholder feedback, while the Department will compile a statewide summary report for the General Assembly.

Statutes affected:
12/10/2025: 59-19-370, 59-21-20
Latest Version: 59-19-370, 59-21-20