South Carolina Lawmakers Advance Bill to Ban Minimum Grade Floors

The proposed legislation would overhaul the state's grading policies and credit recovery system.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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South Carolina lawmakers have advanced a bill that seeks to ban minimum grade floors in the state's school districts. The bill would prohibit districts from implementing policies that allow students to receive a minimum grade, such as a 50%, even if they do not complete any work. The legislation also aims to change what counts toward final grades and create a task force to revise the state's GPA calculation system.

Why it matters

Supporters of the bill argue that grade floors artificially inflate student test scores and do not encourage students to apply themselves. The changes are intended to ensure grades better reflect actual student performance and better prepare them for life after high school.

The details

The bill, sponsored by Republican Rep. Fawn Pedalino, would ban districts from implementing minimum grade floors. It would also require students to complete all missing work before becoming eligible for credit recovery programs and prevent districts from counting benchmark or formative assessments toward a student's grade. Additionally, the legislation would create a task force to revise the state's Uniform Grading Policy used to calculate grade point averages.

  • The bill was advanced by lawmakers on Tuesday, February 11, 2026.
  • The Sumter County School District previously used a 50% grade floor but abandoned the policy in 2024.

The players

Rep. Fawn Pedalino

A Republican who represents parts of Clarendon and Sumter counties and is the sponsor of the bill.

Patrick Kelly

A representative of the Palmetto State Teachers Association who says the grade floor ban and credit recovery requirements are well-intentioned but could allow students to put in minimal effort.

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What they’re saying

“They're going to be more college and career ready, because they're no longer going to be receiving grades that they didn't earn. And if they are not ready to go on to the next grade, they need to be held back and learn the material.”

— Rep. Fawn Pedalino (wltx.com)

“As a teacher, I support second chances. I give second chances, but when second chances are given in return for no initial effort, the policy like grade floors teaches bad habits that set students up for failure after high school.”

— Patrick Kelly, Palmetto State Teachers Association (wltx.com)

What’s next

The bill will now move to the full South Carolina House of Representatives for consideration.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation aims to ensure that student grades in South Carolina better reflect their actual academic performance and preparation for life after high school, rather than being artificially inflated by minimum grade floors.