Senate committee substitute makes the following changes to the 3rd edition.

Deletes the provisions of previous Part I, amending GS 115C-218.45, GS 115C-218.1(b), GS 115C-218.7, and GS 115C-15, pertaining to charter schools in the workplace.

Makes organizational changes to the act.

Moves the provisions in previous Part II to Part I.

Part II

Modifies the proposed changes to Section 6.5 of SL 2014-101, as amended, to require the State Board of Education (State Board) to ensure that the rules for a fast-track replication process provide that the decision on whether to grant a charter through the replication process be completed in less than 120 (previously, 90) days from the application submission date.

Part III

Amends GS 115C-218.7(b) to make the provisions of the subsection, which provide that enrollment growth of greater than 20% is considered a material revision of the charter and requires approval of the State Board, apply only to charter schools identified as low-performing (currently, charter schools identified as low-performing cannot be approved by the State Board for this additional enrollment growth). Makes conforming changes.

Enacts GS 115C-217.7(b1), providing that enrollment growth of greater than 25% is considered a material revision of the charter and requires approval of the State Board for any charter school not identified as low-performing. Sets out the findings that must be shown for the State Board to approve additional enrollment growth of more than 25%, which are identical to those set forth in GS 115C-218.7(b) as amended.

Makes conforming changes to GS 115C-218.8 (Nonmaterial revisions of charters).

Applies to approvals for material changes on or after the date the act becomes law.

Part IV

Amends GS 115C-218.45(f) to add students who were enrolled in another NC charter school in the preceding year to the students to which a charter school can give enrollment priority.

Part V

Amends GS 115C-218(c)(3), describing the powers and duties of the Office of Charter Schools, to add the duty to assist certain charter schools seeking to participate in the NC prekindergarten program in accordance with GS 115C-218.115, as enacted by this act.

Further amends GS 115C-218.45(f) to add a student who was enrolled in a preschool program operated by the charter school in the preceding year to the students to which a charter school can give enrollment priority.

Enacts GS 115C-218.115, Operation of NC Pre-K Programs, to permit a charter school to apply to a local contracting agency to participate in the NC prekindergarten (NC  Pre-K) program as a local program site offering families a high-quality prekindergarten experience. Allows a charter school seeking to operate as an NC Pre-K program site to request administrative and technical assistance from the Office of Charter Schools with its application to the local contracting agency so long as the charter school meets the following four qualifications: (1) the charter school has operated as a charter school for at least three years; (2) the charter school is not currently identified as low-performing; (3) the charter school meets generally accepted standards of fiscal management; and (4) the charter school is substantially in compliance with State law, federal law, the charter school's own bylaws, and the provisions set forth in its charter granted by the State Board. Provides for the Office of Charter Schools' assistance in determining whether the charter school's proposed program meets building and other state standards, and the standards required to be selected as a site under the NC Pre-K program. Sets forth qualifications that must be met for a charter school otherwise meeting all of the requirements for a child care facility license to be able to use an existing or newly constructed classroom in the charter school for three- and four-year-old preschool students without further modifications. 

Part VI

Amends Section 7.22(h) of SL 2011-145, as amended, directing the Director of the NC Virtual Public School (NCVPS) program to continue to ensure course quality standards are established and met for courses developed by NCVPS. Removes the requirement that the Director ensure all e-learning opportunities other than virtual charter schools offered by State-funded entities to public students are consolidated under the NCVPS program, eliminating course duplication. 

Instead, authorizes local school administrative units to partner with eligible providers other than the NCVPS for e-learning opportunities. Sets requirements for eligible providers, including being accredited by a regional accrediting agency. 

Part VII

Makes organizational change to GS 115C-218.105(b) concerning the use of state and local funds by schools.

Part VIII

Removes the application provision of the act.