Advocacy · A voice at the State House
Advocacy turns what we know about children into policy for every South Carolina student.
SCASP’s Advocacy Committee works year-round to promote school psychology, advance education policies that narrow the achievement and opportunity gap, and partner with NASP and other stakeholders on the issues that shape learning and mental health across South Carolina.
Why it matters
We know what children need to thrive.
As school psychologists, we have foundational knowledge of what children need to develop socially, behaviorally, academically, mentally, and emotionally. We can make a difference one child at a time — but advocacy leads to policies that affect students statewide and nationwide.
SCASP challenges YOU to become an advocate for our profession and for the youth of South Carolina.
At the State House · 2026 session
Legislation we’re watching
SCASP tracks the bills, budget lines, and regulations that affect school psychology and student mental health. Here’s where key items stand.
Signed
H. 5126 — FY 2026–27 State Budget
Ratified August 11 · signed August 17 with 14 line-item vetoes. The $15.7 billion plan raises minimum starting teacher pay to $50,500 and continues school resource officer grants.
Signed
H. 5073 — Ban on grade floors
Signed May 15 · in effect for the 2026–27 school year.
Signed
S. 454 — Charter School Accountability
Signed May 15 · implementation underway.
Looking ahead · 2027 session
The General Assembly is in recess and reconvenes in January 2027. Four bills introduced during the 2026 session carry over, and every one of them would reach the work school psychologists do.
In committee
H. 5483 / S. 1060 — Educator Safety and Classroom Authority Act
Statewide standards for classroom management and discipline, including procedures for removing persistently disruptive students. The State Board of Education would write model policies and districts would align their codes of conduct to them. H. 5483 was recommitted to House Education and Public Works; the Senate companion sits in Senate Education.
In committee
H. 4725 — Recording in special education classrooms
Would require audio and video recording of instruction in every special education classroom in the state. Districts would maintain the equipment, store recordings securely and set privacy procedures, with the Department of Education overseeing implementation and annual compliance reporting. In House Education and Public Works.
In committee
H. 5253 — AI in K-12 schools
South Carolina’s first framework for artificial intelligence in public schools. It would require parental notification and in some cases consent, human oversight of AI-generated recommendations, student data privacy safeguards, and district policies covering both educator and student use. In House Education and Public Works.
In committee
S. 740 — Recess and outdoor activity
Would require at least 60 minutes of outdoor physical activity each school day for students in kindergarten through eighth grade, weather permitting. Physical education classes, instructional play and unstructured recess could all count toward it. In Senate Education.
Bill summaries above draw on Legislative Watch from The Riley Institute at Furman, published September 10, 2026. The Riley Institute plans a closer analysis of each bill this fall. Status confirmed against the South Carolina Legislature Online.
Grassroots advocacy
Four ways to make your voice heard
Politics can feel cumbersome, but NASP offers a wealth of tools that make grassroots advocacy simple. Grassroots advocacy means raising awareness of the issues that matter — at the local, state, and federal level — to influence the policies that shape our schools.
01
Send a letter
Use the NASP Advocacy Action Center to send pre-drafted letters to your elected officials in minutes.
02
Show up locally
Attend and speak at your local school board meetings, where many decisions about students are made.
03
Meet your officials
Talk with education leaders and legislators about the evolving role of school psychology. Look up your representatives.
04
Educate your community
Help parents and community agencies understand our training, our skills, and what school psychologists do.
Positions & updates
Position statements & legislative updates
The Legislative Committee and SCASP Board develop position statements on the issues shaping school psychology — resources that help members build awareness of topics that affect student and family outcomes.
Legislative update
SC Weekly Legislative Update
Session tracking of bills relevant to school psychology.
The committee
Meet the Advocacy Committee
Co-chaired by Lynn Collins and Sarah Bassin Bruton, the Advocacy Committee tracks legislation and regulation, organizes State House visits, and prepares testimony and position statements on behalf of SCASP members.
Want to learn more or lend a hand? Email the committee →
Advocacy Committee
Lynn Collins & Sarah Bassin Bruton
Tracks legislation and regulation, organizes State House visits, and prepares testimony and position statements.
Add your voice
SCASP has always been what its members made it.
Every major win — licensure, NCSP reciprocity, School Psychology Week — started with members who spoke up. Join them.