Signed by Governor Henry McMaster

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

A vote to pass a bill that amend time-off credits for high school students seeking religious exemption.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the school district board of trustees to award high school students no more than two elective Carnegie units for the completion of released time classes in religious institutions (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes that the decision to award elective Carnegie units does not involve any test for religious content or denominational affiliation (Sec. 1).

• Requires that the school district board of trustees review the number of hours of classroom time, the course syllabus, the methods of assessment used, and the certification of the teacher before granting Carnegie units (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes that the school district may leave the evaluation to an accredited private school and trust their assessment of credit (Sec. 1).

• Requires that this act take effect on July 1, 2018 (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text