FOR AN ACT ENTITLED, An Act to establish certain provisions regarding the opportunity scholarship program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:
    Section 1. That chapter 13-55 be amended by adding a NEW SECTION to read:

     To be eligible for a South Dakota opportunity scholarship, a student receiving alternative instruction pursuant to § 13-27-3 may also:

            (1)    Be a resident of South Dakota and have a valid certificate of excuse pursuant to §§ 13-27-3 and 13-27-7;

            (2)    Have a composite score of 24, or higher, on the test administered by the American College Testing Program (ACT) or an equivalent score as determined by the Board of Regents on the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT). The student shall take the ACT or SAT test before beginning postsecondary education;

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            (3)    Provide a transcript of completed coursework issued by the parent or guardian listed on the certificate of excuse which includes:

            (a)    Four or more units of language arts that include a minimum of the following:

            (i)    One and one-half units of writing;

            (ii)    One and one-half units of literature that must include one-half unit of American literature;

            (iii)    One-half unit of speech or debate; and

            (iv)    One-half unit of a language arts elective;

            (b)    Three units or more of social studies that include the following:

            (i)    One unit of U.S. history;

            (ii)    One-half unit of U.S. government;

            (iii)    One-half unit of geography;

            (iv)    One-half unit of world history; and

            (v)    One-half unit of a social studies elective;

            (c)    Four units of mathematics that must include the following:

            (i)    One unit of algebra I;

            (ii)    One unit of geometry;

            (iii)    One unit of algebra II; and

            (iv)    One unit of advanced math;

            (d)    Four units of science, including at least three units in laboratory science, that must include the following:

            (i)    One unit of biology;

            (ii)    One unit of any physical science;

            (iii)    One unit of chemistry or physics; and

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            (iv)    One unit of science electives;

            (e)    Two units of world languages;

            (f)    One-half unit of personal finance or economics;

            (g)    One unit of fine arts;

            (h)    One-half unit of physical education; and

            (i)    One-half unit of health or health integration;

            (4)    Attend a university, college, or technical school that is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and that provides instruction from a campus located in South Dakota; and

            (5)    Enter into the program within five years of graduation from the end of a certificate of excuse or within one year of the student's release from active duty with an active component of the armed forces if the release is within five years of the end of the student's certificate of excuse. If a student attends full-time a regionally accredited university, college, or technical school located outside South Dakota and within two years following the end of the student's certificate of excuse or within two years following release from active military service returns to the state to attend full-time a regionally accredited university, college, or technical school, the student is eligible to receive a partial award.

    A student is eligible to participate in the South Dakota opportunity scholarship program for the equivalent of four academic years (eight consecutive spring and fall terms) or until the attainment of a baccalaureate degree, whichever comes first. However, the executive director of the Board of Regents may grant exceptions to the continuous enrollment requirements for good cause shown.

    A student who would have been eligible for the scholarship, but who applies after

completing one or more semesters of full-time work at an accredited institution, may be admitted to the program only if the student has complied with the same credit hour requirements that would apply to program participants. Admission granted under these circumstances may not be retroactive, and eligibility for participation in the program shall be reduced by one semester for each semester of work completed before admission to the program.