Beginning in fiscal year 1994-95 in the annual general appropriations act, the General Assembly shall determine an appropriation level for the academic assistance initiative. The State Board of Education through the Department of Education shall promulgate regulations to implement a system to provide a pro rata matching of the weighted pupil units pursuant to § 59-20-40 to the pupils in the districts of the State as follows:

(1) early childhood assistance for students in kindergarten through grade three who are eligible for the federal free- and reduced-price lunch program at a weight of .26;

Terms Used In South Carolina Code 59-139-20

  • Appropriation: The provision of funds, through an annual appropriations act or a permanent law, for federal agencies to make payments out of the Treasury for specified purposes. The formal federal spending process consists of two sequential steps: authorization
  • Fiscal year: The fiscal year is the accounting period for the government. For the federal government, this begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends; for example, fiscal year 2006 begins on October 1, 2005 and ends on September 30, 2006.

(2) grade four through twelve academic assistance for students in these grades who score below minimum basic skills act standards in reading, mathematics, or writing, or their equivalent, at a weight of .114.

Funds generated by kindergarten through grade three students must be used by the districts and schools to provide to any student in these grades needed academic assistance. The assistance may be for short, intensive periods or for longer, on-going assistance as needed by each student. Based upon the district and school plans provided for in § 59-139-10, a portion of these funds may be used to support other components of the early child development initiative in order to better prepare children for entering school. Further, districts may request a waiver from the State Board of Education to use a portion of the funds generated by students in kindergarten through grade three for students in grades four through twelve, if such a change promotes better coordination of state and federal funds provided for programs for these children.

Funds generated by students in grades four through twelve must be used to provide any student with needed academic assistance with an emphasis on assistance at the time of need and on accelerating the progress of students performing below their peers. The assistance may be for short, intensive periods or for longer, on-going assistance as needed by the student. Enhanced opportunities for learning must be emphasized. In reviewing the districts’ plans, provided for in § 59-139-10, the State Board of Education shall stress district and school flexibility in addressing student needs.

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