Carolinas Academic Leadership Network (CALN) today applauds the S.C. General Assembly for passing H.5073 to prohibit grade floor policies in K-12 public schools, positioning South Carolina as the first state in the nation to take legislative action on this critical issue. The bill, receiving a final House vote Wednesday and now heading to Gov. Henry McMaster’s desk, prevents schools or school districts from requiring teachers to assign a minimum grade that exceeds a student’s actual performance, among other positive reforms.
CALN was among the first organizations to raise public awareness of the grading floor issue, contributing research to a 2025 Palmetto Promise Institute (PPI) report finding that at least 18 local South Carolina school districts have grade floor policies on record or report using them. That same year, CALN Director Bryce Fiedler testified before the Sumter County School Board against a proposal to reinstate a grade floor policy in the district. The proposal failed to advance following a 4-4 vote.
“Passing H.5073 represents a major milestone toward maintaining and enhancing academic integrity in South Carolina,” said Fiedler. “Minimum grade policies cause real-world harm by disincentivizing students from giving their full effort and creating a false picture of their academic performance. This bold decision keeps grades honest and accountable while encouraging every child to reach their highest potential.”
A poll from the South Carolina Policy Council (SCPC) last year found that over half of state voters supported legislation to ban grading floors. “SCPC is proud to support this proposal as a critical reform to restore merit-based standards in the classroom,” said Sam Aaron, Research Director at SCPC. “By ensuring that grades reflect actual student performance, it promotes accountability, raises academic expectations, and better prepares students as they advance.”
“The main purpose of our education system, however you choose to participate in it, is to prepare our children for life after school,” added Ryan Dellinger, Director of Education Policy at PPI. “Grade floors do our students a great disservice by setting low expectations that do not translate to college or the workforce. Both the General Assembly and the Governor have recognized this fact and put our students back on the path to success by ensuring students are honestly evaluated based on their academic performance.”
The legislation will also require a student to submit or complete all necessary assignments for a course to be eligible for district-approved credit or content recovery, ensuring students demonstrate a genuine effort before makeup opportunities become available. Additionally, it will prohibit districts from requiring the inclusion of formative or district-selected benchmark assessments in calculating a student’s final grade, as these assessments are primarily meant to monitor progress, measure academic growth, and provide teachers with feedback on student performance.
About Carolinas Academic Leadership Network (CALN):
CALN is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting academic excellence and effective school board governance. We strive to equip North and South Carolina school board leaders with the tools and training necessary to navigate today’s educational challenges and effectively serve their districts. Our mission is to be the foremost advocate for student achievement, parental authority, and exemplary school board service throughout the Carolinas.
For media inquiries, please contact Bryce Fiedler at bfiedler@schoolboardleader.com