SICs were first created as School Advisory Councils in 1977 with the passage of the Education Finance Act. In 1984, the Education Improvement Act changed the name to School Improvement Councils and assigned specific duties that focused on improving the quality of schools. The role of SICs has continued to expand with the passage of the Early Childhood Development and Academic Assistance Act (Act 235) of 1993 and the Educational Accountability Act of 1998.

The provisions of these laws affecting SICs have been codified in the SC Code of Laws, Title 59, which can be accessed on the SC State House website.

Citations to specific provisions affecting SICs are:

• Section 59 5 65 (11)(b). (Powers and responsibilities of State Board of Education)

• Section 59 5 150. (Awards for civic contribution to public education)

• Section 59 18 710. (Recommendations regarding state’s accreditation system)

• Section 59 18 900 (E) (SICs assist with state school report card narrative)

• Section 59 18 1310 (Consolidation of strategic plans and improvement reports)

• Section 59 18 1500 (a)(1) (Renewal plans for schools rated below average or at risk)

• Section 59 18 1510 (B)(2) (External review teams at schools rated below average or at risk)

• Section 59 20 60 (5) (SICs prepare annual report to the parents)

• Section 59 20 60 (6) (Establishing school improvement councils, membership, duties, terms of office, elections, reporting membership to SC-SIC)

• Section 59 20 65 (SC-SIC to provide assistance and training to SICs)

• Section 59 24 50 (SC DOE Leadership Academy training to address importance of SICs)

• Section 59 26 20 (m) (Certification programs for administrators to include training on SICs)

• Section 59 139 10 (G) (SIC input in early childhood development initiative and academic assistance plan)

• Section 59 155 140 (C) (SIC input in school reading plan)