The purpose of this memorandum is to provide clarifying information about school calendars as plans are being considered for the 2024–25 school year.

All statutory and regulatory requirements, including make-up days, remain in effect for the 2024–25 school year. Districts should ensure compliance with applicable state statutes and regulations as 2024–25 school calendars are developed.

South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) has partnered with EveryDay Labs and
Education Analytics to provide an attendance support services to McKinney Vento students. This
service utilizes contact information and attendance data to communicate with students and their
families that are experiencing homelessness. This service meets the Federal Educational Rights
and Privacy Act (FERPA) requirements for data disclosure under the exception acting as a
school business official (§99.31(a)(1)(i)(B)).

The South Carolina Department of Education is hosting “Bridging the Discipline Divide,” a cohort-based training to support school teams who want to improve school climate and school discipline. Previous participants have reported improved outcomes, fewer discipline referrals, fewer failing grades, and increased morale and positive school climate.

Talent Matters. The path to retaining our best and brightest teachers includes recognizing their expertise and impact. The South Carolina Department of Education maintains a file of emerging classroom leaders including distinguished teachers and principals. These educators may be considered for recognition programs and membership on advisory groups, and task forces. Your recommendations will identify educators who we can recognize as experts in your community and our state.

Thousands of children across South Carolina are eligible for free or reduced meals. The breakfast and lunch meals provided to them at school are often the only ones they have on a given day. Unfortunately, many of these same children do not have access to meals during the summer. The USDA Seamless Summer Option and Summer Break Café (Summer Food Service Program) help provide meals to children who need them most. We are requesting your assistance in expanding access to meals for these children this summer.

In accordance with 2023 Proviso 1A.72 (SDE-EIA: High-Intensity Tutoring), districts are encouraged to submit a funding application to implement or expand high-intensity tutoring as part of a pilot for the 2024-2025 school year. Districts whose applications are funded will receive bi-weekly support and provide regular updates on implementation. The goal of the bi-weekly support is to gather both quantitative and qualitative data throughout the implementation to inform the development of additional resources for districts in South Carolina.

March is Women’s History Month. To celebrate and to respond to the questions we frequently receive about sustainability and balance, particularly from women in leadership roles, the Office of Educator Effectiveness and Leadership Development will offer a free professional learning opportunity focused on women in leadership.

Pursuant to SECTION 59-155-160, a student must be retained in the third grade if the student fails to demonstrate reading proficiency at the end of the third grade as indicated by scoring at the lowest achievement level on the state summative reading assessment that equates to Not Met 1. Successful completion of Summer Reading Camp is one Good Cause Exemption available to third-grade students to avoid mandatory retention. Successful completion includes scoring at least a level above the lowest level on the state reading assessment selected from a list of norm-referenced, alternative assessments approved by the Office of Early Learning and Literacy for use in the summer reading camps.

South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette asked the Department to make each of you aware of an opportunity available to your schools. The National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) annually awards a scholarship to 12 different schools for STEM-related projects in the classroom. The first scholarships were awarded in 2022. Teachers or project advisors in state-accredited public, private, or tribal pre-K-12 grade schools may apply for a scholarship to further STEM education through a project, equipment, program, or curriculum.

The South Carolina Department of Education together with Carolina Family Engagement Center will host a series of free webinars for parent and family engagement educators. Educators from the field
will provide innovative and best practices for engaging and supporting all families for impactful school, family, and community partnerships.

The Office of Instructional Materials (OIM) has recently transitioned from the Office of Finance to the Division of College, Career, and Military Readiness. This strategic move aims to enhance collaboration with the Office of Assessment and Standards, the Office of Early Learning and Literacy, and the Office of Educator Effectiveness and Leadership Development, among others, to positively impact the teaching and learning process through high-quality instructional materials (HQIM).

The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) announces that the 2024–25 Request for Proposals for the Education and Economic Development Act (EEDA) Preparing College- and Career-Ready Graduates grant program is now available online. Approximately $1.5 million in funding will be distributed on a competitive basis and the deadline to apply is March 22, 2024.