Makes three amendments to existing public education law, states two uncodified goals of the General Assembly relating to public education, and directs the State Board of Education to conduct a study of high school graduation requirements. Specific provisions are as follows:
Amends GS 115C-296(b) to increase requirements for teacher preparation programs by requiring the State Board of Education (SBOE), in consultation with the UNC Board of Governors, to (1) increase the credit requirements and number of years required to complete a teacher preparation program, (2) require elementary education students to complete courses in teaching reading and mathematics that align with the SBOE’s approach for teaching these subjects, and (3) require that all education students receive training in educational technology tools that measure and predict expected student improvement.
Amends GS 115C-205.27(a) to require school improvement teams to use the Education Value Added Assessment System (EVAAS) or a comparable system approved by the SBOE to appropriately place students in courses such as Algebra I (current law does not specifically reference student placement in courses such as Algebra I).
Amends GS 115C-105.41 to require local boards of education to adopt and implement plans to successfully transition at-risk students from elementary to middle school and from middle to high school.
States an uncodified goal of the General Assembly to phase in longer school days and extended school calendars in the 25 high schools identified by the SBOE as having the highest dropout rates in the state (charter schools and alternative schools would be exempt). Extended school days and longer school calendar requirements would also apply to those elementary and middle schools that move students into the 25 high schools with the highest dropout rate. Extended days and calendar would be implemented for the 2013-14 school year subject to available funding.
States an uncodified goal of the General Assembly to provide preschool programs to all at-risk children.
Directs the SBOE to reconsider high school graduation requirements for students who do not plan to continue education beyond high school and report study results to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by March 15, 2012.