In 1984 the General Assembly of South Carolina passed the Education Improvement Act of 1984--the "New Approach", a comprehensive educational reform measure. The following action initiatives were mandated: (1) increase academic standards; (2) strengthen student discipline and attendance in the schools; (3) provide more effective use of classroom time; (4) provide programs of excellence for talented students; (5) provide more relevant vocational training programs; (6) provide programs of excellence for handicapped students; (7) require an exit exam for graduation; (8) enactment of a promotion policy; (9) improve the basic skills in all grades; (10) increase the number of highly qualified persons going into teacher profession; (11) raise teacher salaries in order to attract and hold qualified persons in teaching; (12) improve preservice and inservice teacher training; (13) maximize the utilization of teaching time and talent; (14) recruit the most able candidates to become principals and administrators; (15) improve the training and evaluation of prospective and current school administrators; (16) evaluate and reward schools and school districts based on measurable performance and progress; (17) focus the planning of schools and school districts on instructional improvement, and effective use of resources; (18) monitor annually the implementation of the Educational Improvement Act; (19) strengthen the involvement of parents in their children's education; (20) increase the participation of business and industry in the public schools; (21) broaden community involvement in the public schools; and (22) perform pressing repairs, renovations and construction on school buildings. (JD)