(A) The school district board of trustees may adopt a policy that authorizes a student to be excused from school to attend a class in religious instruction conducted by a private entity if:

(1) the student’s parent or guardian gives written consent;

Terms Used In South Carolina Code 59-1-460

  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.

(2) the sponsoring entity maintains attendance records and makes them available to the public school the student attends;

(3) transportation to and from the place of instruction, including transportation for students with disabilities, is the complete responsibility of the sponsoring entity, parent, or guardian;

(4) the sponsoring entity makes provisions for and assumes liability for the student who is excused; and

(5) no public funds are expended and no public school personnel are involved in providing the religious instruction.

(B) It is the responsibility of a participating student to make up any missed schoolwork. However, no student may be released from a core academic subject class to attend a religious instruction class. While in attendance in a religious instruction class pursuant to this section, a student is not considered to be absent from school.