South Carolina

SECTION 59-40. Charter Schools

"A "charter school" means a public, nonreligious, non home-based, nonprofit corporation forming a school that operates by sponsorship of a public school district, the South Carolina Public Charter School District, or a public or independent institution of higher learning, but is accountable to the board of trustees, or in the case of technical colleges, the area commission, of the sponsor which grants its charter."

We did not find mention of whether charters are allowed to contract with for-profit management companies. However, Education Commission of the States states that charter schools may not be operated by for-profit entities.

SECTION 59-40-40-1. Definitions.

Education Commission of the States: 50-State Comparison

We did not find information about caps on charter schools in South Carolina statutes. However, Education Commission of the States states that South Carolina does not have caps on charters.

Education Commission of the States 50-State Comparison

"The State is not responsible for student transportation to a charter school unless the charter school is designated by the local school district as the only school selected within the local school district's attendance area."

SECTION 59-40-50(D). Exemption; powers and duties; admission to charter school.

Charters can hire non-certified teachers in a ratio of up to 25% of its entire teacher staff. A converted charter school shall hire in its discretion non-certified teachers in a ratio of up to 10% of its entire teacher staff. However, in either a new or converted charter school, a teacher teaching in the core academic areas as defined by the federal No Child Left Behind law must be certified in those areas or possess a baccalaureate or graduate degree in the subject he or she is hired to teach.

SECTION 59-40-50(B)(5). Exemption; powers and duties; admission to charter school.

South Carolina statutes allow for the South Carolina Virtual School Program, but it is unclear whether students can attend full-time.

"It is the purpose of the General Assembly, in this chapter to establish the South Carolina Virtual School Program to ensure consistent high quality education for the students of South Carolina utilizing technology-delivered courses."

"The virtual education program shall not award a South Carolina High School diploma."

SECTION 59-16-10(B). Legislative findings.
SECTION 59-16-15(A). Virtual education program; eligibility; grades; exams; computer equipment and internet access.

"The State Board of Education shall develop guidelines and promulgate regulations to include, but may not be limited to, the following...
(7) process for maintaining student records and reporting and recording grades on the student's transcript"

SECTION 59-16-40.(7) Guidelines and regulations.

"Instructors must hold a valid teaching certificate in each content area being taught or receive approval from the State Department of Education to teach the course."

SECTION 59-16-20.(D): Housing and management of program; standards for courses; instructor certification and training.

No voucher programs found.

EdChoice School Choice in America

South Carolina statutes allow for the Refundable Educational Credit for Exceptional Needs Children.

SECTION 12-6-3790. Educational Credit for Exceptional Needs Children's Fund.

However, for the education credit program, eligible schools include "independent schools including those religious in nature, other than a public school."

SECTION 12-6-3790.(A)(1): Educational Credit for Exceptional Needs Children's Fund.

However, "Tax credits authorized by subsection (H)(1) and subsection (I) annually may not exceed cumulatively a total of twelve million dollars for contributions to the Educational Credit for Exceptional Needs Children's Fund, unless an increased limit is authorized in the annual general appropriations act."

SECTION 12-6-3790.(D)(1)(a) : Educational Credit for Exceptional Needs Children's Fund.

Charters: "A child who resides in a school district other than the one where a charter school is located may attend a charter school outside his district of residence; however, the receiving charter school shall have authority to grant or deny permission for the student to attend pursuant to Sections 59-40-40(2)(b) and 59-40-50(B)(7) and (8) according to the terms of the charter after in-district children have been given priority in enrollment."

Other schools: "If school children in one county reside closer to schools in an adjacent county, they may attend such schools upon the school authorities of the county of their residence arranging with the school officials of the adjacent county for such admission and upon payment of appropriate charges as herein authorized."

"When it shall so happen that any person is so situated as to be better accommodated at the school of an adjoining school district, whether special or otherwise, the board of trustees of the school district in which such person resides may, with the consent of the board of trustees of the school district in which such school is located, transfer such person for education to the school district in which such school is located, and the trustees of the school district in which the school is located shall receive such person into the school as though he resided within the district."

SECTION 59-40-145. Students attending charter schools outside district of residence.
SECTION 59-63-480. Attendance at schools in adjacent county.
SECTION 59-63-490. Transfer to adjoining school district.