Bill Summary for S 812 (2013-2014)

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Summary date: 

May 20 2014

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details2013-2014 Session
Senate Bill 812 (Public) Filed Tuesday, May 20, 2014
AN ACT TO EXERCISE NORTH CAROLINA'S CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY OVER ALL ACADEMIC STANDARDS; TO REPLACE COMMON CORE; AND TO ENSURE THAT STANDARDS ARE ROBUST AND APPROPRIATE AND ENABLE STUDENTS TO SUCCEED ACADEMICALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY.
Intro. by Soucek, Tillman.

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Bill summary

Identical to H 1061, filed 5/14/14.

Requires the State Board of Education (State Board) to (1) continue exercising authority over academic standards for public schools and (2) review all English, language arts, and math standards and propose modifications to ensure that they are rigorous, reflect NC's priorities, are age and developmentally appropriate, and understandable to parents and teachers; requires consultation with the Academic Standards Review Commission before making changes to the standards. Provides that standards adopted by the State Board will continue to be named the "North Carolina Standard Course of Study."

Establishes the 17-member Academic Standards Review Commission (Commission) located in the Department of Administrtion (DOA), but exercising powers independently of the DOA. Establishes Commission membership and duties, including reviewing acadmic standards for English and math, and considering the impacts on educators when making recommendations. Requires the Commission to hold its first meeting by September 1, 2014. Requires the Commission to make a final report to the State Board, the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee, and the 2016 Regular Session of the 2015 General Assembly. Terminates the Commission on the earlier of December 31, 2015, or the filing of the final report.

Repeals GS 115C-174.11(c)(3), which required the State Board to participate in Common Core Standards development and implementation.

Amends GS 115C-12 to make conforming changes, requiring the State Board to adopt academic standards that take into consideration the academic standards adopted under specified existing authority, instead of the Common Core Standards.

Requires the State Board to report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee before implementing a new assessment instrument to assess student achievement. Prohibits the State Board from acquiring or implemeting an assessment instrument without legislation authorizing the purchase.

Appropriates $250,000 for 2014-15 from the General Fund to the Department of Administration to implement the Commission requirements.

Effective July 1, 2014.