H1030 - 2016 Appropriations Act. (SL 2016-94)

Overview: Sec. 8.13 of S.L. 2016-94 makes the following changes to the virtual charter school pilot program:

• A participating virtual charter school may administer tests to multiple grade levels at the same time and in the same location.
• A participating virtual charter school may contract with a test administrator who is not employed by the board of directors of the school and meets the following criteria:
• Holds a valid North Carolina teaching license.
• Passes a criminal history check performed by the school.
• Is trained to administer a test in accordance with the North Carolina Testing Program.
• Decreases the amount of a participating virtual charter school's teaching staff that must reside in the State from 90% to 80%.
• Modifies the criteria for measuring a participating virtual charter school's student withdrawal rate to exclude the following:
• Students who regularly failed to participate in courses who are withdrawn under the procedures adopted by the school.
• Students no longer qualified under State law to attend a North Carolina public school, including relocation to another state.
• Students who: (i) withdraw from school because of a family, personal, or medical reason, and (ii) notify the school of the reason for withdrawal.
• Students who withdraw from school within the first 30 days following the date of enrollment.

This section became effective July 1, 2016, and applies beginning with the 2016-2017 school year.