Act 135 emergency powers : waivers granted by State Superintendent of Education

Abstract

This report from the State Superintendent of Education concerns the emergency powers exercised in subsection (A) of Act 135. The report identifies the statutory requirements waived and the reason for which the waiver was granted and identiies and describes any actions taken in regards to subsection (A)(3). As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and state of emergency declared by Governor Henry McMaster, South Carolina school facilities were closed for in-person instruction from March 16, 2020, to the end of the 2019–2020 school year. During this time, students, families, and educators across South Carolina have experienced an unprecedented disruption to learning, teaching, and daily life. With this disruption came the need for the ability to provide enhanced flexibilities to districts statewide. Flexibility was needed in accountability measures, assessments, certification, minute requirements, reporting deadlines and others. This report details the State Superintendent of Education's ability to exercise emergency powers.