South Carolina H 5137: Dr. Fay Sprouse, retirement

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5137 Text of Previous Version (Feb. 10, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 5137

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE 
"UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITY PARTICIPATION ACT" BY ADDING 
SECTION 59-63-97 SO AS TO ESTABLISH UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENT 
PARTICIPATION IN INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES; TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS; TO 
LIMIT THE EXCUSAL OF STUDENTS FROM CORE ACADEMIC CLASSES; TO RESTRICT THE USE 
OF INSTRUCTIONAL FUNDS FOR INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES; TO ESTABLISH ACADEMIC 
ELIGIBILITY AND INDEPENDENT ACADEMIC REVIEW REQUIREMENTS; AND TO PROVIDE 
RELATED SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICIES, OVERSIGHT, AND ENFORCEMENT REQUIREMENTS.

Be it enacted by the 
General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the "Uniform Requirements for Interscholastic 
Activity Participation Act."

SECTION 2. Article 1, Chapter 63, Title 59 of the S.C. Code is 
amended by adding:

 Section 
59-63-97. (A) Definitions. For 
purposes of this section:

 (1) 
"Interscholastic activities" means any school-sponsored program in which 
students participate competitively or represent the school in events against 
other schools including, but not limited to:

 (a) 
athletics, including football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and cheerleading;

 (b) 
performing arts, including band, chorus, orchestra, and theater;

 (c) 
academic competitions, including debate, robotics, science Olympiad, and math 
teams; and

 (d) 
other school-sponsored clubs or teams participating in competitions or events 
against students from other schools.

 (2) 
"Core academic classes" means courses required for graduation under state or 
district academic standards, including mathematics, English language arts, 
science, social studies, and required foreign languages.

 (B)(1) Students shall not be excused from 
core academic classes for participation in interscholastic activities, 
including practices, games, or competitions against other schools, except when 
such participation is unavoidable and occurs under circumstances that are 
extraordinary and documented in writing by the school principal.

 (2) 
School schedules shall prioritize instructional time; participation in 
interscholastic activities shall not result in reduced or compromised academic 
instruction.

 (C)(1) School instructional budgets shall 
not be used to fund interscholastic activities, except for salaries of coaches 
or sponsors who are also classroom teachers providing instruction during the 
school day.

 (2) 
All other costs associated with interscholastic activities including, but not 
limited to, equipment, uniforms, travel, meals, lodging, and event fees, shall 
be funded through fundraising, sponsorships, fees from participating students, 
or work-based arrangements consistent with other extracurricular programs.

 (3) 
Families of students participating in interscholastic activities shall 
contribute to the costs of participation on the same basis as families of 
students participating in other extracurricular programs.

 (D)(1) To participate in interscholastic 
activities, students in grades nine through twelve must maintain a minimum 2.5 
unweighted grade point average in all core academic classes:

 (a) 
in the semester preceding participation in the interscholastic activity, if the 
interscholastic activity occurs completely within one semester; or 

 (b) 
in the semester preceding the first semester of participation in an 
interscholastic activity if the interscholastic activity occurs over two 
consecutive semesters.

 (2) 
Academic work, assignments, and grades for student participants shall be 
reviewed and verified by personnel completely independent of the 
interscholastic activity program, free from influence or pressure from coaches, 
sponsors, or school administrators involved in the activity.

 (E)(1) Each school district shall adopt 
policies consistent with this section and ensure compliance through regular 
audits and reporting.

 (2) 
Violations of this section shall result in administrative review and 
appropriate corrective actions, including temporary suspension of 
interscholastic activities funding or participation privileges until compliance 
is achieved.

SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval 
by the Governor and is applicable beginning with the 2027-2028 School Year.

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This web page was last updated on February 10, 2026 at 01:38 PM