School Improvement Council (SIC)

SC School Improvement Council Mission: To promote and support civic engagement for quality public education in South Carolina.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who May Serve on a Council?
Almost anyone is eligible to serve on a School Improvement Council - parents, teachers, business partners, community leaders, and students in grades nine and above. The average council has about 12 members; two-thirds of the members must be elected parents, students, and teachers. The principal appoints the remaining third of the council, careful to ensure broad representation from the larger school community including non-parent taxpayers who have special expertise or perspective. The principal serves as an ex-officio member of the council, as do a variety of other people by virtue of their position at the school. Ex-officio members may include the PTA president, volunteer coordinator, business partners, Teacher of the Year, and last year's SIC Chair; the number of Ex- officio members depends on the school's needs.

SICs Are Not New!
School boards have been required to establish School Improvement Councils since 1977. Originally known as School Advisory Councils, the passage of the Education Improvement Act in 1984 changed the name and focused on the role of the Councils in improving the quality of education in South Carolina. The SC General Assembly passed the Early Childhood Development and Academic Assistance Act in 1993. Known as Act 135, this law extended the role of the School Improvement Council to require their active participation in strategic planning and designated the responsibility for the annual Report to Parents about the school's progress to the SIC. In 1998, the SC General Assembly passed the Education Accountability Act, which calls upon the entire community, from the Governor to individual students to be held accountable for student achievement. Specific additional responsibilities of the councils include review and adjustment of the school improvement plan if the school is rated unsatisfactory, and preparation of the School Report Card narrative.

What Do SICs Do?
Councils work collaboratively with the school to develop and implement a five-year school improvement plan (school renewal plan), monitor and evaluate success in reaching the plan's goals and objectives, and write an annual report to parents about the progress of the plan. Councils also assist the principal with writing the narrative for the School Report Card. In addition, councils advise on the use of school incentive awards and provide assistance as requested by the principal. School Improvement Councils do not have any of the powers and duties reserved by the local school board.

Why Should I Become Involved?

When parents are involved in their children's education, children do better in school. Parents bring great wisdom to the School Improvement Council. They have intimate knowledge about their children and access to other parents who can provide knowledge and insight. Citizens who are not parents of children in the school can make unique contributions to School Improvement Councils. Senior citizens, business people, members of the faith community, staff of social service agencies, and others all have knowledge, experience, and resources to share. Community members who feel ownership in the school are often the best advocates for the children and the school.

“Bee” Involved at PSS...Everyone has something to contribute!

Open SIC Meetings
You are invited to attend our monthly SIC meetings. You may write to SIC with your ideas and concerns regarding issues of school improvement. Your comments will be reviewed by the committee at our monthly meetings. We consider your feedback to be vital to our success!! Questions, suggestions, or concerns can also be communicated to SIC by emailing pinestreetPTO@spart7.org