Summary

North Carolina SB 402 (Open States or North Carolina Legislature), the Appropriations Act of 2013, changes the funding formula for the North Carolina Virtual Public Schools (NCVPS) program, supports access to advanced courses offered on-line, directs the State Board of Education to study the authorization and oversight of virtual charter schools, and establishes the Education and Workforce Innovation Program.

Legislative Analysis

SB 402 repeals the funding formula for the North Carolina Virtual Public Schools (NCVPS) program and replaces it with a requirement that the State Board of Education shall calculate, no later than February 28 of each year, the actual instructional cost for each local school administrative unit and charter school based upon actual NCVPS enrollment as of that date. This is a change from using projected enrollments to calculate funding.

In order to increase access and encourage more students to enroll in rigorous, advanced courses, SB 402 directs local boards of education to ensure that all high school students have access to advanced courses in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. The legislation notes that this access may be provided through enrollment in courses offered through or approved by the North Carolina Virtual Public School.

The Appropriations Act directs the State Board of Education to study and determine needed modifications for authorization and oversight of virtual charter schools. This includes application requirements, enrollment growth, and funding allocations. The Board will prepare these recommendations in the form of draft rules and proposed statutory changes and present them to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by February 1, 2014.

Finally, SB 402 establishes the Education and Workforce Innovation Program. The purpose of this program is to foster innovation in education that leads to more students graduating career and college ready. Funds for the Program will be used to award competitive grants to an individual school, a local school administrative unit, or a regional partnership of more than one unit. Grants will be used to advance comprehensive, high-quality education that equips teachers with the knowledge and skill required to succeed with all students. In order to be eligible for a grant, applicants must explain how they intend to leverage technology to efficiently and effectively drive teacher and principal development, connect students and teachers to online courses and resources, and foster virtual learning communities among faculty, higher education partners, and business partners.

Legislative History

Detailed Vote History: Legiscan |  Open States

Approved by Governor Pat McCrory on 7/26/2013