Part I

Directs the State Board of Education (Board) to eliminate the use of the NC Final Exam as part of the statewide testing program. Directs the Board to adopt a policy to require local school administrative units assess teacher performance and professional growth in the manner described. Applies beginning with the 2019-20 school year.

Part II

Directs the Board to eliminate the use of End-of-Grade (EOG) tests for grades three through eight, and instead adopt a policy to require administration of NC Check-Ins in those grades three time per school year in the manner described. Provides for an averaged score earned from NC Check-In 2 and NC Check-In 3 to constitute the annual assessment for grades three through eight, which is governed by Subchapter IV of GS Chapter 115C, Educational Program. Directs the State Board to make necessary adjustments to currently developed NC Check-Ins.

Directs the Board to develop NC Check-Ins for science for grade five and grade eight, and for reading for grade three. Provides special rules for third graders' demonstration of reading proficiency, averaged from the NC Check-In 2 and NC Check-In 3 scores.

Authorizes policies regarding participation in the NCEXTEND1 alternative assessment to be applied in the same manner as prior to the enactment of the act, and authorizes the Board to continue the use of NCEXTEND1 for students with disabilities, as appropriate. 

Directs the Board to review existing testing security policies with respect to NC Check-Ins and revise them as necessary to provide for as secure a testing environment as required by federal law or as a condition of a federal grant. Prohibits requiring testing security measures in excess of those required for federal compliance.

Amends GS 115C-81.36, regarding advanced courses in mathematics, to enroll students scoring at a level that denotes superior command of knowledge and skill in their most recently enrolled course in the next advanced mathematics course for their next course.

Makes conforming changes to GS 115C-105.41 and GS 115C-276.

Applies beginning with testing administered for the 2022-23 school year. 

Part III

Directs the Board of eliminate End-of-Cource (EOC) tests for grades nine through 12. Deems the nationally recognized assessment of high school achievement and college readiness or an alternate assessment administered to all students in grade 11 pursuant to GS 115C-174.11(c)(4) , as amended, to constitute the State-mandated testing in grades nine through 12 required by GS 115C-174.11(c)(1) (intended). Directs the State Board to eliminate the required administration of ACT WorkKeys for career and technical education students. Authorizes policies regarding participation in the NCEXTEND1 alternative assessment to be applied in the same manner as prior to the enactment of the act, and authorizes the State Board to continue the use of NCEXTEND1 for students with disabilities, as appropriate. 

Makes conforming changes to GS 115C-83.15 (concerning the calculation of student achievement scores), GS 115C-83.16 (regarding academic indicators as part of school performance indicators for the purpose of compliance with federal law), GS 115C-174.11 (regarding the adoption of an annual testing program) and GS 116-11 (regarding the Department of Public Instruction generating standardized transcripts for local administrative units to use for applicants to higher education institutions).

Repeals GS 115C-174.25 which required, as funding was available, local school administrative units to make available the appropriate WorkKeys tests for students who completed a concentration in career and technical education courses. Effective August 1, 2019.

Applies to testing beginning with testing administered for the 2019-20 school year. 

Part IV

Amends GS 115C-174.11, as amended, by requiring local school administrative units to use the tests provided to them by the Board and prohibits requiring any additional standardized tests.

Amends the Board’s responsibilities under GS 115C-174.12 by requiring that the policies established by the Board include a prohibition on subjecting students to field tests or national tests during the two-week period preceding the administration a state-mandated NC Check-In, a state-mandated nationally recognized assessment of high school achievement and college readiness, or the school's regularly scheduled final exams. Makes conforming changes by deleting provisions related requirement for each local board of education to notify the State Board of any local standardized testing to be administered to students at the local board of education’s discretion.

Repeals GS 115C-174.15, which required local boards of education to provide results on standardized tests required by the local board to specified individuals.

Applies beginning with testing administered for the 2019-20 school year.

Part V

Amends GS 115C-47, concerning the powers and duties of local boards of education by adding that students must not be required to complete a high school graduation project as a condition of graduation from high school; also specifies that requirements for graduation must be connected only to the completion of required courses. Makes conforming changes to GS 115C-12. Applies beginning with the 2019-20 school year.

Part VI

Except as otherwise indicated, effective when the bill becomes law.