BALANCED POLITICAL DISCUSSION IN CLASSROOMS.

Printer-friendly: Click to view
View NCGA Bill Details2021
Senate Bill 700 (Public) Filed Wednesday, April 7, 2021
AN ACT TO REQUIRE BALANCED POLITICAL VIEWPOINTS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PUBLIC SCHOOL INSTRUCTION AND TO REQUIRE THE ONLINE DISPLAY OF INFORMATION ABOUT INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS.
Intro. by Edwards, Krawiec, Hise.

Status: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate (Senate action) (Apr 8 2021)

Bill History:

S 700

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: Apr 8 2021 - View Summary

    Enacts GS 115C-81.46, directing the State Board of Education (State Board) to require that all curriculum, professional development, and teaching standards used to implement instruction reflect balanced political viewpoints. Extends the charge to instruction in local school administrative units, innovative schools, regional schools, and schools for students with visual and hearing impairments. Requires viewpoints of both major US political parties to be presented and given equal weight if one is presented through materials, assignments, lectures, or other instruments for instruction in any classroom or any area of the school.

    Directs the State Board to adopt rules and implement policies to comply with new GS 115C-81.46. Allows the State Board to mirror an identified Teaching Standard adopted in June 2007 at the Board's discretion. Requires the State Board to report to the specified NCGA committee by November 15, 2021. Requires rules or policies to be in effect by January 1, 2022.

    Enacts GS 115C-98A to require the governing body of local school administrative units, innovative schools, regional schools, schools for students with visual and hearing impairments, and laboratory schools to ensure the following information is annually posted on each school's website, organized by subject area and grade level: (1) the instructional materials and activities that were used during the prior school year, as specified, and (2) any procedures for the documentation, review, or approval of the learning materials for instruction at the school. Details further requirements of the information for identification of materials and activities used. Specifies that digital reproduction of the materials or separate reporting of material components is not required. Defines activities and instructional materials

    Amends GS 115C-12, GS 115C-47, and GS 115C-238.66 to require the State Board, local boards, and regional school boards of directors to ensure that the information about instructional materials is displayed on the websites of innovative schools, schools for students with visual and hearing impairments, each school in the respective administrative unit, and regional schools, as appropriate for each authority.

    Similarly amends GS 116-239.8 to enact identical requirements of chancellors of laboratory schools regarding instruction reflecting balanced political viewpoints as those of the State Board enacted in GS 115C-81.46. Also requires chancellors to ensure that information about instructional materials is displayed on the websites of laboratory schools.

    Applies beginning with the display of instructional materials during the 2021-22 school year.