[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6346069,"mediaKeyId","2247510-d13350106bda34054178250988c82e44","parentId",2247510,"title","Panel backs bill to increase K‑8 physical education minutes, adds narrow exemption for off‑campus high‑school courses","audioSeconds",2138,"startMs",4156944,"endMs",6295485,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247510-d13350106bda34054178250988c82e44&start=4156&end=6295","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247510-d13350106bda34054178250988c82e44/thumbnail_4156944.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6346069/South-Carolina/Panel-backs-bill-to-increase-K8-physical-education-minutes-adds-narrow-exemption-for-offcampus-highschool-courses","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346069-c878f1e9744706d15185dabb55621bd2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771210777&Signature=gLvLOKRXfSE95V71tU7Y~O6d2jV284mgXmA7Ycc78nh2gadBfglVlxmiosJXBj6trUto7x~x306HNj8NDldSbHzsqp20zvpReiYSM6kVBIIQvlgGuMekf4IjbpMTom-5kCYQ6I7F817rEx1dJZbXVBFvPSswdkrbLDA3ftRDAGJGrgzgZn0SSvw5s1wWRG~AVlc5l-XDgzdym9tw9iQlw0uVMTBzpzzhcJ6zBSSsSP6B3ExFY3Sb8Cm0yiwkYzrqGS4gChRjRLI4Pi-3mPNmf65VyWMwvnhS-GsXpX08kf5HpTt31j15mmJInf6QScv7JlItlIdVefO-5oZRAX2GEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Education and Public Works Committee","date","2025-02-04T00:00:00Z","article","The House Education and Public Works subcommittee advanced H.3195 on Feb. 4, 2025, a bill that would increase required physical education (PE) minutes in K‑8 and add accountability for PE and physical activity reporting.

Under the bill language discussed in committee, kindergarten through fifth‑grade students must receive at least 1.5 hours of physical education per week. Sixth through eighth graders must receive a minimum of 60 hours of physical education per school year (the committee adopted a technical amendment to clarify implementation for students who take high‑school courses off site). Supporters said the measure is intended to address declining child fitness, rising childhood obesity and associated downstream costs — including impacts on military readiness and workforce fitness.

Why it matters: Witnesses presented data showing a drop in motor‑skill competence and rising obesity rates among children; experts testified that insufficient movement opportunities during the school day contribute to poorer fitness and higher long‑term health costs. Testimony included academics and public‑health advocates who argued the bill would restore daily movement opportunities, improve student attention in class, and reduce future healthcare and readiness costs.

Expert testimony: Dr. Sally Miedema, representing the South Carolina Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, said roughly half of South Carolina students “do not score in healthy zones of cardio‑respiratory fitness” and that about a third of children are obese; she noted only 30–40% of schools were meeting statutory minutes for PE and physical activity reporting. Dr. Ryan Sacco (The Citadel) and Dr. David Stodden (University of South Carolina) presented research linking early childhood motor skill deficits to later fitness and military‑readiness outcomes. Patrick Kelly of the Palmetto State Teachers Association and Ryan Bailey of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators encouraged the committee to adopt the measure and recommended a narrowly drawn exemption for students taking off‑campus high‑school courses.

Amendment and votes: Committee members adopted an amendment that creates a narrow exemption for seventh‑ and eighth‑grade students who are taking high‑school courses off campus (the amendment requires reasonable efforts by the sending school to accommodate participation in PE). The subcommittee then voted 8–0 (two members absent) to report the bill favorably as amended to the full committee.

Clarifications recorded in the hearing: Proponents emphasized the bill sets minimums and leaves scheduling flexibility to districts. Witnesses urged greater reporting and accountability; one expert noted that PE used to be reported on the state report card and that reporting declined in recent years.

Next steps: The bill was sent to the full Education and Public Works Committee; committee members signaled willingness to refine timing and enforcement language before full committee consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Education and Public Works Committee -- EPW K-12 Subcommittee 02/04/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The House Education and Public Works subcommittee voted Feb. 4, 2025, to report H.3195 favorably as amended, a bill that sets minimum physical education requirements for K‑8 students and adds a narrow waiver for middle‑school students taking high‑school classes off campus.","taxTitle","Education and Public Works, Standing, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, South Carolina","taxId",17503,"location","South Carolina","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6346074,"Subcommittee advances Educator Assistance Act after amendment to ease recertification and add discretion for contract breaches",2476,1656524,4133380,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247510-d13350106bda34054178250988c82e44&start=1656&end=4133","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247510-d13350106bda34054178250988c82e44/thumbnail_1656524.jpg","/articles/6346074/South-Carolina/Subcommittee-advances-Educator-Assistance-Act-after-amendment-to-ease-recertification-and-add-discretion-for-contract-breaches","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346074-00db1d01ca13f5b2fe8b457280ca28ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771210777&Signature=lghRRqJpCXm44PZqoDNDFfg7RqwQFe84MsejrTeDnq-P99BOhjN3P4FlrXWE7cEesPT8fGMTYted1-yHdtMDj~SkLx7eIwkvkL7x-quCFPyuAY6Imwdmmf8erIALuB-h86iPnCCWB6C9YatMWxp-HZkcDn2kuRYvtclyRIy0qbaUR1lh9m~BIMYDLvJxihT9xK3CS2sW5hmaOFkjE~dGgqPt6PXir7gq6KiFeIz4DLvWuO1IWKF8AwFaGxPkCf88491IngxoX9G0jaqxM8~E60H7W1hanPZ4oA7JbQBAOL-ApSzH4O-BtrDNhDG4w~wucYUauGawA0prI2nrzbdSPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Educator Assistance Act (H.3196) — legislation intended to streamline teacher re‑certification, align contract dates to school calendars and provide flexibility for retired teachers returning to work — was reported favorably as amended by the House Education and Public Works subcommittee on Feb. 4, 2025.

The amendment package removed language that would have created a permanent certificate, clarified job‑assignment timing (no later than 14 days before students are scheduled to return), allowed district professional development to satisfy certification renewal requirements, extended the deadline for certain school‑board complaints from 30 to 60 days, and added a limited certificate option for retired teachers returning to service. The amendment also changed statutory language so the State Board of Education “may” (rather than “shall”) suspend or revoke a certificate in breach‑of‑contract complaints, giving the board discretion to weigh extenuating circumstances.

Why it matters: Supporters said the bill reduces duplicative paperwork, respects teachers’ time, and addresses recruitment and retention pressures by aligning administrative deadlines with the realities of school hiring and enrollment cycles. Witnesses told the committee the bill would help keep experienced educators in classrooms and reduce bureaucratic hurdles.

Testimony and key points: Chairwoman Julie Erickson framed the bill as a product of stakeholder negotiations including district administrators, educator associations and the State Department of Education. Pierce (department/staff adviser) outlined the amendment’s changes, noting that the “permanent certificate” language was removed and that “professional development that they have to have anyway, that's done by the school district, that would qualify for the certification requirement.”

Patrick Kelly, director of governmental affairs for the Palmetto State Teachers Association, described H.3196 as a top priority for the association and said the measure addresses “time, support, and respect,” citing paperwork burdens and assignment uncertainty. Sherry East, president of the South Carolina Education Association and a 27‑year classroom teacher, supported the bill and highlighted concerns about teachers signing contracts months before assignments are known and the need for some contractual wiggle room.

Department of Education staff said their remaining operational questions were resolved by the amendment; they told the committee that updates to the SCEducator certification system would accompany the legislation to ease compliance.

Actions and votes: The subcommittee voted 8–0 with two absences to adopt the amendment and again to report the bill favorably as amended. The roll calls record aye votes from Representatives Bowers, Duncan, Gilreath, Kilmartin, Tipple, Vaughn, Erickson, and Bradley; Representatives Alexander and Rivers were listed as absent. Committee minutes show the amendment adoption vote was 8–0 with two absent and the final reporting vote was 8–0 with two absent.

Implementation notes and clarifications from the hearing: - The assignment notice deadline was clarified as “no later than 14 days before students are scheduled to return to school” rather than an August 15 date that some districts used to avoid compliance.

- District professional development (PD) will count toward state certification renewal when the PD is required by the district and attended by the teacher.

- Retired educators returning to serve may receive a time‑limited certificate (the amendment provided a multi‑year temporary certificate option, discussed as roughly five years) and remain subject to retirement‑system rules about return‑to‑work pay caps.

Next steps: The subcommittee forwarded H.3196 and its amendment to the full Education and Public Works Committee for consideration.","The House Education and Public Works subcommittee reported H.3196, the Educator Assistance Act, favorably as amended on Feb. 4, 2025, after adopting changes intended to ease recertification requirements and give the State Board discretion in breach‑of‑contract cases.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6346078,"House subcommittee backs charter-school enrollment preference for military families, keeps 20% cap",1444,164835,1609225,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247510-d13350106bda34054178250988c82e44&start=164&end=1609","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247510-d13350106bda34054178250988c82e44/thumbnail_164835.jpg","/articles/6346078/South-Carolina/House-subcommittee-backs-charter-school-enrollment-preference-for-military-families-keeps-20-cap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346078-4a28f5ccf9c3e83a06468d232b0fba79/orig.mp4?Expires=1771210777&Signature=Ti0Aiqc-YTgL6K9htB5bIa6QSbS4YfyegpyuJ9SrfwtrawwkMO-Jes31JKglIdtiLzAeyThwMlQvp26bLVaMJYJ2igmxJV3ye7Urfe4YW-xUyABBNbwsHoA~q6PWNx0xd0PAd52QvQjgRxWvovsGHsqApIp2WJDETuP4KKP37rojcIdnBvN1HklAl~amA9sib7wWhWsyEbb8JC4eKiqOPpZdLioz0HvzWxyFa3t1HVKXVrNHx9FklB9b08LcC0gsjVlnUPNV9jdaSKBRonvqRHsC6~iUkXS08wLi7KEyXqAW64CSLu29WnhbTNA~ZgapWI0AA9U9S3KbtBogrZrujg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 3862, which would add active-duty military families to the list of permitted enrollment preferences under the Charter School Act, was reported favorably as amended by the South Carolina House Education and Public Works subcommittee on Feb. 4, 2025.

The bill adds “students who are members of a military service family that reside or are stationed in the state” to allowable preference categories and caps that preference at 20% of a charter school’s enrollment. Representative-level committee members also preserved a separate provision allowing charter schools located on military installations to reserve up to 50% of seats for military families; the committee restored the word “priority” for that provision by unanimous consent before advancing the bill.

Why it matters: Supporters said the change aims to reduce disruption for military children who frequently relocate and often cannot meet standard lottery deadlines because orders arrive after lotteries are closed. Proponents argued the preference will give military families more predictable access to preferred charter options and continuity for students.

Several charter and education advocates testified in support. JW Ragley, representing SC Learns, told the committee, “We’re 100% in support of the bill” and said virtual charters provide continuity for military families who move frequently. Kevin Mason, governmental affairs director for the Public Charter School Alliance of South Carolina, urged passage, saying the preference would “help provide stability and continuity in their learning environments.” Melissa Clampett, who identified herself as a military spouse and mother of two, described personal experience with wait lists and said implementing the bill “gives military families a higher probability of enrollment in their preferred schools.”

Chris Neely, superintendent of the South Carolina Public Charter School District, emphasized that Palmetto Scholars Academy — the state’s charter located on Joint Base Charleston — coexists with the Department of Defense under an agreement that relies on giving military families priority seats. Neely told the committee that the base school’s agreement reserves 50% priority seats and cautioned that changing that language could jeopardize such arrangements.

Actions and procedure: Committee members agreed by unanimous consent to reinsert the word “priority” for the provision applying to charter schools on military bases. The subcommittee then voted to report the bill favorably as amended; the roll call recorded eight ayes and two absences (Representative Alexander and Representative Rivers were listed as not present). The recorded aye votes were Representatives Bowers, Duncan, Gilreath, Kilmartin, Tipple, Vaughn, Erickson and the bill sponsor (Chairman Bradley recorded an aye in the roll call). No no votes or abstentions were recorded on the subcommittee’s final vote.

Next steps: The subcommittee advanced HB3862 to the full Education and Public Works Committee. The bill will be considered by the larger committee and, if approved, proceed through the remaining House and Senate steps. The committee did not set a public-date deadline in the hearing for Senate action.","House Bill 3862, which would add active-duty military families to the categories eligible for charter-school enrollment preference, was reported favorably as amended by the South Carolina House Education and Public Works subcommittee on Feb. 4, 2025.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6346064,"Subcommittee approves measure to allow excused absences for FFA, 4‑H and related career‑tech activities",826,6325000,7151000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247510-d13350106bda34054178250988c82e44&start=6325&end=7151","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247510-d13350106bda34054178250988c82e44/thumbnail_6325000.jpg","/articles/6346064/South-Carolina/Subcommittee-approves-measure-to-allow-excused-absences-for-FFA-4H-and-related-careertech-activities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346064-60f897a3d4e2d43a080d20be668b06a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771210777&Signature=hGQnSKBlE-E78r4vad8gCFyKVH9ol1Yq7pUW~QCeF4oIhA9aAkKqIWpUjQhdq115Qvi~0OWDEVKnyxZwNE42tlHQYoK2H-5a1SxWtN~XZ-TYRfigoN~D-8wMjQm3TYHp819hTl8CPtr~PMq9rIKov0FGQZXfKTfdprcSf6OTfqeOXlz61B2QgrfRxW9okCgjNvDZJt~fEt1RbAevBr1UMGRVoGkN7VK3g-OBjvELDtsLcToKeoSf~-C15Gl4eIAXMInjKRNuDdduNV0VxsjZeY9As2UM8tB01fsWXWbeUYxStDHjw-jNiFJtkU-nFghp2pvgMlOUIOHoC2fKtjmZ7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Education and Public Works subcommittee reported H.3247 favorably on Feb. 4, 2025. The bill would require school districts to treat certain supervised off‑campus career‑technical and agricultural activities as excused absences when the activity is overseen by a certified teacher and students make up missed instructional work.

Sponsor remarks said the measure addresses inconsistent district and school practices that leave some FFA and 4‑H participants facing unexcused absences for industry‑oriented competitions and supervised experiential learning. Proponents argued the change provides uniform statewide treatment for students participating in career‑related competitions, state fairs and supervised work‑based learning tied to curriculum.

Why it matters: Witnesses said these programs support career exploration and workforce development in areas such as veterinary science, agriculture and technical occupations. Advocates told the committee many students travel off campus for competitions and industry experiences that are integral to their course of study and future employment skills.

Testimony: Alana West, assistant director of South Carolina 4‑H, said 4‑H programming spans STEM, agriculture and healthy‑lifestyle initiatives and sometimes occurs outside normal school hours; she supported the bill because of inconsistent excused‑absence practices. Troy Helms, state director of agricultural education, said FFA is integrated with the state agricultural curriculum and that consistent excused‑absence treatment supports career pathways for thousands of students statewide.

Committee discussion and next steps: Committee members discussed the potential number of days a student might miss for competitions; one member asked whether the measure should include an academic‑performance floor before granting excused status. The sponsor indicated willingness to work on any narrowly tailored caps or academic requirements between subcommittee and full committee. The subcommittee voted 8–0 with two absences to report the bill favorably to the full committee.

Implementation details: The bill requires that the off‑campus activity be overseen by a certified teacher and that students are responsible for making up missed work. The text does not prescribe a statewide cap on days missed; committee members requested follow‑up language to address that possibility before full committee consideration.","The House Education and Public Works subcommittee voted to report H.3247, a bill that would require districts to excuse student absences for supervised off‑campus career‑technical and agricultural education activities (FFA, 4‑H, SkillsUSA and similar events) when overseen by a certified instructor and when missed work is made up. Supporters said","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Panel backs bill to increase K‑8 physical education minutes, adds narrow exemption for off‑campus high‑school courses

Subcommittee advances Educator Assistance Act after amendment to ease recertification and add discretion for contract breaches

House subcommittee backs charter-school enrollment preference for military families, keeps 20% cap

Subcommittee approves measure to allow excused absences for FFA, 4‑H and related career‑tech activities