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Bill > H3197


SC H3197

SC H3197
Workforce readiness


summary

Introduced
01/14/2025
In Committee
01/14/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

126th General Assembly

Bill Summary

Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Adding Section 59-1-485 So As To Establish A Statewide Workforce Readiness Goal; By Adding Section 59-29-245 So As To Provide Remediation In Courses In Literacy And Mathematics To High School Seniors Seeking Post-secondary Studies But Lacking Requisite Academic Preparation, To Provide This Coursework May Be Used To Meet High School Graduation Requirements, And To Provide Related Implementation Requirements Of The State Department Of Education, State Board Of Education, And The State Technical College System; By Adding Section 59-39-105 So As To Provide High School Seniors Shall Complete And Submit A Free Application For Federal Student Aid Before Graduating From High School, To Provide Exemptions, To Provide Related Requirements For The Implementation Of These Provisions, And To Make These Provisions Applicable Beginning With The 2026-2027 School Year; By Amending Section 59-26-35, Relating To Educator Preparation Program Evaluations And The South Carolina Educator Preparation Report Card, So As To Transfer Primary Responsibility For Conducting These Evaluations And Producing This Report Card To The State Department Of Education, Among Other Things; And By Adding Section 41-1-140 So As To Provide The Department Of Employment And Workforce Shall Maintain And Provide Free Online Access To Information Regarding The Economic Value Of College Majors, Among Other Things.

AI Summary

This bill establishes a statewide workforce readiness goal for South Carolina, aiming for at least sixty percent of working-aged residents to have a high-quality postsecondary degree or recognized industry credential by 2032, and requires high schools to offer remediation courses in literacy and mathematics for seniors not yet prepared for college-level work, with credits from these courses counting towards graduation. Additionally, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, all high school seniors must complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), a form used to determine eligibility for federal student financial aid, unless they receive an exemption, and the State Department of Education will take over the primary responsibility for evaluating educator preparation programs and producing the South Carolina Educator Preparation Report Card, which assesses how well these programs prepare teachers for success. Finally, starting July 1, 2026, the Department of Employment and Workforce will provide free online access to information about the economic value of college majors, comparing bachelor's degrees earned to job availability.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (10)

Last Action

House E.P.W K-12 Subcommittee (10:30:00 2/24/2026 Blatt Room 433) (on 02/24/2026)

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