The South Carolina General Assembly has expanded the funding for many of the state’s at-risk 4-year-olds to have an opportunity to attend a full-day educational program. In 2020-21 the original districts entered their fifteenth year since implementation in 2006; the expansion districts of 2013 entered their ninth year; and the districts added in 2014 entered their seventh year.  In addition, the 2020-21 CERDEP budget proviso 1.56 allowed for CERDEP expansion to extend into non-CERDEP districts.  CERDEP expansion eligibility for schools in non-CERDEP districts is defined as schools where 60 percent or more of the student body are considered Pupils in Poverty in the 2019–20 and/or 2020–21 school years.

Section 59-156-110 mandates that in CERDEP classrooms districts will provide (1) a comprehensive, systemic approach to reading that follows the State Reading Proficiency Plan and the district’s comprehensive annual reading proficiency plan, (2) successful administration of the readiness assessment; (3) the developmental and learning support that children must have to be ready for school; (4) parenting education, including educating the parents as to methods that may assist the child; and (5) identification of community and civic organizations that can support early literacy efforts.