COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) – In Columbia, Governor Henry McMaster signed a bill into law that encourages students to take part in work-based learning.
This law allows students in South Carolina public schools to participate in certain extracurricular activities, such as Future Farmers of America and Four-H programs, forcing school districts to excuse 10 days of missed school.

The law references worked-based learning experiences, but was inspired by Future Farmers of America.

Ian Headly from the State Department of Education said it’s important to pass laws like these, that “allow for them to expand, even beyond students in agriculture programs, but other relevant, organizations that provide these extremely valuable real-world experiences to our students,” he said.

Hundreds of students showed up to support the bill signing. Cameron Williams, the SC State F.F.A. president, said this bill will help students maximize experiences and engage with organizations to prepare them for their lives.

“I think this bill is just going to increase that number, increasing not only the number of people within the F.F.A. and increasing the number that are active, but that are also going and doing these events, going and being active within their chapter.”

He added that this opportunity with F.F.A. is what has shaped him, and he can guarantee this law will shape other students, no matter the organization.

“The leadership skills these students learn is just an amazing thing to have happened through college and into life.”

Governor McMaster technically signed the bill into law on Monday, and said he was pleased that this bill is going to support the growth of students and South Carolinians.

“South Carolina’s the best place in the whole world to live, work and raise a family, right here where you stand,” he said to the students.

Williams said he knows of several students who had to miss events because they were not able to get excused absences, which he says held them back. The ten days of excused absences for work-based activities doesn’t affect the other days students are allowed to miss if they’re sick.