H97 - 2015 Appropriations Act, Sec. 8.12: Competency-Based Learning (SL 2015-241)

Overview: Sec. 8.12 of S.L. 2015-241 establishes the General Assembly's intent that the State transition to a system of testing and assessments for public school students that uses competency-based learning assessments to measure student performance and student growth when practicable. This competency-based student assessment system must provide that:

• Students advance upon mastery.
• Competencies are broken down into explicit and measurable learning objectives.
• Assessment is meaningful for students.
• Students receive differentiated support based on their learning needs.
• Learning outcomes emphasize competencies that include the application and creation of knowledge.

This section encourages the State Board of Education (SBE) to evaluate the feasibility of integrating competency-based assessments for use in local school administrative units and as part of the statewide testing system for measuring student performance and student growth. The SBE may examine competency-based assessments in other states, including potential benefits and obstacles to implementing similar systems in North Carolina, along with the relationship between competency-based assessments and innovative teaching methods used in the State's schools such as blended learning models and digital teaching tools.

This section became effective July 1, 2015.