House Education Chairwoman Shannon Erickson, R-Beaufort, talks with staff during the House’s organizational session on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 at the Statehouse in Columbia. (Mary Ann Chastain/Special to the SC Daily Gazette)
COLUMBIA — South Carolina public school students could not be considered absent for participating in an off-campus club activity during the school day under a bill advanced Tuesday in the House.
Also given the go-ahead by a subcommittee was a bill dubbed the “Educator Assistance Act,” which teachers’ advocates named a top priority in keeping teachers in classrooms. The bill passed the House unanimously last year but never got a hearing in the Senate, though its sponsor is optimistic this will be the year it passes.
Excused absences
One re-introduced bill that was never taken up last session would require school districts to adopt a policy excusing students for attending certain extracurricular events…