South Carolina committee approves bill for new official choral anthem

The House Education and Public Works Committee's K-12 Subcommittee convened on April 8, 2025, to address pressing issues in South Carolina's education system, particularly focusing on chronic absenteeism and truancy among students. The meeting began with a call for collaboration among committee members to draft an amendment aimed at tackling these issues before presenting it to the full committee.

Chronic absenteeism was highlighted as a significant concern, affecting students from elementary through high school. Members discussed the financial implications of absenteeism, noting that despite substantial educational investments, the outcomes are not meeting expectations. The discussion included specifics about attendance regulations, with representatives clarifying that students can have a limited number of absences—typically ten for year-long courses and five for semester courses—before facing truancy issues.

The conversation shifted to the role of parental involvement in addressing truancy. Some members suggested that stronger measures might be necessary to ensure accountability among parents, although the feasibility of such actions was debated. The committee expressed a desire to amend existing regulations to ensure that attendance aligns with Carnegie unit standards, which dictate the requirements for earning high school credits.

Further discussions included the impact of extracurricular activities on student attendance. Research indicates that students involved in sports and other activities tend to have better attendance and academic performance. However, the complexity of coding absences in school systems was acknowledged, complicating the analysis of attendance data.

After deliberations, the subcommittee voted unanimously to forward the bill addressing absenteeism and truancy to the full committee for further consideration. The vote concluded with an 8-0 approval, with one member abstaining.

In addition to the attendance issues, the meeting also addressed House Bill 3949, which proposes the establishment of an official choral anthem for South Carolina titled "Dum Sparrow," meaning "While I breathe, I hope." The bill aims to promote state pride and educate students about the state motto. The song, already being sung in various schools, was presented as a tool for fostering hope and inspiration among students.

The meeting concluded with a motion to approve the choral anthem bill, reflecting a commitment to enhancing both educational engagement and state identity through music. The subcommittee's actions signal a proactive approach to improving student attendance and fostering a sense of community within South Carolina's educational framework.