A number of South Carolina laws mandate the roles and responsibilities of School Improvement Councils. SC laws directly affecting SICs include:
1977 Education Finance Act
1984 Education Improvement Act
1993 Early Childhood Development Academic Assistance Act #135
1998 Education Accountability Act
Other laws such as the Parent Involvement Act #402 are strongly related to council activities but do not mandate specific requirements.
A synopsis of the SC laws relating to SICs is included in the SIC Handbook - "The Basics". The laws are referenced throughout the handbook.
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) is a United States federal statute enacted April 11, 1965. It was passed as a part of U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson's "War on Poverty" and is to date most extensive federal legislation policy passed by Congress. The act funds primary and secondary education and emphasizes equal access to education. It establishes standards and accountability and is designed to work to eliminate achievement gaps between students of differing socio-economic status. The act mandates funding for resources to support educational and parental and community involvement programs. Originally authorized through 1970, Congress has reauthorized the act every five years since its enactment. The current reauthorization of ESEA is the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) act 2001. (citation: Wikipedia, July 1, 2011.)
NCLB became law in January 2002 and has made sweeping changes in public education. To find out more information on NCLB and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) or to read the NCLB legislation of 2002 visit the US Department of Education website. To read an article on NCLB from the Spring 2003 SC-SIC "Council News" newsletter, visit the "Council News" archives.