AN ACT TO CREATE A TERM FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT INCLUDES THE VARIOUS TYPES OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE STATE AND TO CODIFY THE NORTH CAROLINA VIRTUAL PUBLIC SCHOOL PROGRAM. SL 2019-51. Enacted June 26, 2019. Effective July 1, 2019, and applies beginning with the 2019-20 school year.
Bill Summaries: H57 CREATE TERM FOR PUBLIC SCHS. & CODIFY NCVPS.
Printer-friendly: Click to view
-
Bill H 57 (2019-2020)Summary date: Jun 26 2019 - View Summary
-
Bill H 57 (2019-2020)Summary date: Jun 5 2019 - View Summary
Senate committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes.
Part II
Adds to proposed GS 115C-238.75, establishing that the North Carolina Virtual Public School program (NCVPS), as established, is not a public school unit under the elementary and secondary education laws set forth in the Chapter.
-
Bill H 57 (2019-2020)Summary date: Feb 12 2019 - View Summary
Part I
Adds the term public school unit to the GS Chapter 115's defined terms, set out in GS 115C-5, defining the term to include a local school administrative unit, a charter school, a regional school, and a school providing elementary or secondary instruction operated by the State Board of Education (State Board) or UNC.
Part II
Repeals specified sections of session laws regarding the North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS) program's administration, reporting requirements, and implementation of the allotment formula.
Enacts Part 11 to Article 16 of GS Chapter 115C, as follows.
Enacts GS 115C-238.74, setting forth defined terms for the Article.
Enacts GS 115C-238.75, providing for the administration of NCVPS by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and prescribing duties to NCVPS regarding access to and the provision of e-learning instructional opportunities for the standard course of study for high school graduation and for Advanced Placement offerings, as specified. Requires NCVPS to establish course quality standards that meet the standards set by the State Board and to align all courses with the NC Standard Course of Study. Requires NCVPS to provide courses at no cost to all NC students enrolled in a public school unit, Department of Defense School, and schools operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Requires the courses be available to nonpublic school and out-of-state students and directs the State Board to establish a tuition for such students, as described. Directs NCVPS to implement a plan to generate revenue from the sale of courses to out-of-state educational entities, which must be approved by the State Board, with revenues to be used to offset instructional costs to public school units pursuant to GS 115C-238.76(d)(3) (enacted by the act).
Enacts GS 115C-238.76, requiring the State Board to implement an allotment formula for NCVPS. Details parameters for the allotment formula. Directs the State Board to annually determine and implement an allotment reduction of each public school unit's classroom teachers, or other allotment, in order to support the State-level support and administration of NCVPS, as described. Requires the allotment reduction to be at least $3,760,816, as was effective for the 2018-19 fiscal year. Requires an NCVPS enrollment reserve fund to be maintained in an amount of at least $2 million. Directs the State Board to annually determine and implement an allotment reduction of each public school unit's classroom teachers, or other allotment, calculated as specified. Provides that funds of the enrollment reserve do not revert and are to be used to cover specified NCVPS instructional costs. Identifies sole funding sources that are to be used to cover the instructional costs of NCVPS.
Enacts GS 115C-238.77, establishing the NCVPS Advisory Council to review NCVPS operations and planning. Provides for Council membership.
Enacts GS 115C-238.78, requiring DPI to annually submit a report on NCVPS operations to the State Board by December 15 of each year. Details the reporting requirements.
Enacts GS 115C-238.79, authorizing local school administrative units to partner with eligible providers other than NCVPS for e-learning opportunities. Specifies eligibility requirements for other providers.
Effective July 1, 2019, and applicable beginning with the 2019-20 school year.