EDUCATIONAL OPP. FOR PEOPLE W/DISABILITIES.

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View NCGA Bill Details2015-2016 Session
House Bill 921 (Public) Filed Thursday, April 16, 2015
AN ACT TO ENHANCE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.
Intro. by Johnson, Glazier, Malone, Avila.

Status: Ref To Com On Appropriations (House Action) (Apr 20 2015)

Bill History:

H 921

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: Apr 20 2015 - View Summary

    Requires the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to study and recommend methods and policy changes to the State Board of Education (SBOE) for improving the outcomes for elementary and secondary students with disabilities. Specifies actions that DPI must take toward achieving these goals. States the General Assembly's intent to make funds available in the 2015‑17 fiscal biennium to DPI to (1) implement the methods for improving outcomes for children with disabilities and (2) provide technical assistance to local school administrative units to establish model programs aimed at increasing the graduation rate and school performance of students with disabilities. Requires DPI, by November 15, 2015, and annually thereafter, to report to the SBOE and the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee on the progress in developing and implementing (1) IEP reforms, (2) transition planning policies, (3) increased access to Future Ready Core Course of Study for students with disabilities, and (4) model programs for use by local school administrative units to improve graduation rates and school performance of students with disabilities.

    Appropriates $6,923,286 for 2015‑16 from the General Fund to DPI and $14,077,154 for 2016-17 to provide a 1% increase in funding for children with disabilities in each fiscal year. Requires the SBOE, for 2015-16, to allocate additional funds for children with disabilities on the basis of $3,966.24 per child. Each local school administrative unit shall receive funds for the lesser of (1) all children who are identified as children with disabilities or (2) 12.5% of its 2015‑16 allocated average daily membership in the local school administrative unit. Requires the SBOE for 2016-17 to allocate additional funds for children with disabilities on the basis of $4,005.90 per child. Each local school administrative unit shall receive funds for the lesser of (1) all children who are identified as children with disabilities or (2) 12.5% of its 2016‑2017 allocated average daily membership in the local school administrative unit. Requires that the amounts allocated adjust in accordance with legislative salary increments, retirement rate adjustments, and health benefit adjustments for personnel who serve children with disabilities.

    Appropriates $600,000 for 2015‑16 from the General Fund to the UNC Board of Governors and $600,000 for 2016‑17. Requires that these funds be used by the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, in collaboration with the North Carolina Postsecondary Education Alliance, for the work of the Alliance's three regional Partnerships for Identifying and Promoting Excellence in Postsecondary Education for People with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities.

    Requires the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, with the assistance of the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Division of Social Services, the Department of Public Instruction, the University of North Carolina, and the North Carolina Community College System, and in consultation with the North Carolina Postsecondary Education Alliance, community stakeholders, and other interested parties, to take five specified actions concerning transitioning people with disabilities to adulthood. Requires a report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee and the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services by November 15, 2015, and annually thereafter through November 15, 2017.

    Requires the State Education Assistance Authority to study strategies for ensuring that the state system of financial assistance for postsecondary education is available to assist qualified students with disabilities who are enrolled in certificate‑based, approved university programs developed for them. Requires a report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee and the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services by March 15, 2016.

    Effective July 1, 2015.