LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
URGENT- YOUR ACTION IS NEEDED Dear Teachers, Friends, and Supporters of Social Studies, The Senate Education Committee will hold public hearings in four locations around to the state to receive comments from members of the public regarding S. 419 “South Carolina Career Opportunity and Access for All Act (Omnibus Education Improvement Act.)" This is the Senate version of H. 3759. Sign in sheet to testify should be out by 5:15 p.m. at each site. Testimony to begin at 6:00 p.m. All speakers should come prepared to limit remarks to three minutes. Written remarks are also welcome. Individuals may submit written remarks to the committee. Send remarks by email to seducomm@scsenate.gov or by mail to: Hearings will take place the following locations:
Monday, March 4 6:00 pm -- McCormick Middle School Gym -- Senate Education Committee Public Hearing on S.419 Monday, March 11 6:00 pm -- Coker College, Black Box Theater -- Senate Education Committee Public Hearing on S.419 Monday, March 18 6:00 pm -- Gaffney High School Auditorium -- Senate Education Committee Public Hearing on S.419 Thursday, March 21 6:00 pm -- Georgetown High School Auditorium -- Senate Education Committee Public Hearing on S.419 For specific information on each site, visit the Senate Education Committee Scheduled Meetings page.As you know contained within this bill is a provision to remove state-mandated social studies assessments at grades 5 and 7 and the United States History and Constitution End of Course Examination Program (EOCEP). Teachers of the social studies recognize there are concerns with excessive testing. SCCSS applaud members of the General Assembly who have heeded the cries of educational professionals statewide to reduce testing.; however, SCCSS does not believe that removing social studies testing at grades five and seven will address excessive testing. The end of testing at the high school level will not impact the well-rounded education of a student as there are specific social studies requirements required for graduation. SCCSS is concerned that the end of testing in grades 5 and 7 will have the following unintended consequence: narrowing the curriculum; reduced instructional time increased class sizes for social studies teachers; redistribution of resources for instructional material and professional development from social studies to English/Language Arts and mathematics. We have seen it in South Carolina before state-mandated testing and after testing was removed in grades 3, 4, 6, and 8. ADVOCACY ACTION STEPS
Material Provided to House and Senate committees |
Legislative Priorities |
Read the Statement of Legislative Priorities approved by the Board of Directors and Executive Council of the SCCSS. |
Contacting your Elected Officials |
Points to remember:
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