The South Carolina General Assembly passed the South Carolina Education and Economic Development Act of 2005 (EEDA) to provide “for the development of a curriculum organized around a career cluster system that must provide students with both strong academics and real-world problem solving skills” (S.C. Code Ann. § 59-59-10 et seq.). More specifically, the EEDA requires that the needs of students “at risk for being poorly prepared for the next level of study or for dropping out of school” (S.C. Code Ann. § 59-59-150) be addressed. To support district efforts, the SCDE has set aside a portion of EEDA funds to help schools offer programs to address the academic and career development needs of students with proven academic deficiencies.

The SCDE has set aside a portion of EEDA funds for the Preparing College- and Career-Ready Graduates Grant to help schools implement evidence-based strategies and/or models specifically designed to address the academic and career development needs of students with proven academic deficiencies so that, upon completing high school, these students will possess the knowledge, skills, life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate.

Funds are awarded to districts to continue or expand existing programs. For more information about the next round of funding opportunities contact, Tiffany Dorsey at 803-734-1650 or tldorsey@ed.sc.gov.

Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Proviso 1.89 (SDE: Alternative Education Programs)

The State Department of Education shall create, publish, and provide to all public schools in the State a list of alternative education programs that can award a high school degree or high school equivalency credential. The list must include, but not be limited to, the Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School and the South Carolina Youth Challenge Academy. As part of each student’s annual review of his Individualized Graduation Plan, school counselors shall distribute information provided by the Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School, the South Carolina Youth Challenge Academy, and any other alternative education program to students who are not on track for on-time graduation or who otherwise are at risk of dropping out of school. School counselors shall provide those institutions the names and addresses of all students who are not on track for on-time graduation or who are otherwise at risk of dropping out of school, except for students who have opted out of disclosure of directory information under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. Section 1232g. Parents or students age eighteen or older may complete a form to opt the student out of the disclosure of student contact information with these institutions. The department shall develop this opt-out and each district shall make the form available on its website.

Alternative Education Programs