H82 - Summer Learning Choice for NC Families. (SL 2021-7)

Overview: S.L. 2021-7 (HB 82) required each local school administrative unit (LEA) to offer a school extension learning recovery and enrichment program (Program) at the end of the 2020-2021 school year. Within available funds, residential schools were also required to offer a Program to students. The Program's purpose was to provide in-person instruction on specific subjects and offer additional enrichment activities to students in kindergarten through grade 12 to address learning losses due to COVID-19 during the 2020-2021 school year. Students at risk for academic failure who were not progressing toward grade promotion and graduation were identified and prioritized for participation in the Program.

LEAs were required and charter schools were encouraged to submit plans for the Program to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). The plans were required to meet certain components, including a minimum of 150 hours or 30 days of instruction, as well as meal service and physical activities on each instructional day. The plans were also required to include certain instruction based on the grade level served and provide access to enrichment activities for grades K-8 and elective courses for grades 9-12. Transportation, in-person learning, and social-emotional learning supports for all students were also required as part of the Program.

Participation in the Program by students was voluntary. Kindergarten students who participated in the Program were exempt from retention. For all other students at-risk of grade retention, the student's principal was required to reassess the student's promotion eligibility upon completion of the Program.

Teachers and other school personnel were employed temporarily on a contract basis for the Program. Certain retired teachers were also eligible for employment without violating separation of service requirements. LEAs were encouraged to incentivize highly effective teachers through various means and were required to offer both signing bonuses to teachers meeting certain criteria and performance bonuses for third-grade teachers whose students became proficient in reading during the Program.

The State Board of Education provided competency-based assessments for students in grades K-8 to LEAs for use at the beginning and end of the Program, with the assessment results provided to the student's teacher for the 2021-2022 school year.

LEAs were required to report to DPI by October 15, 2021, on the results of the competency-based assessments, as well as the number of students who progressed or were retained in the same grade, and the number of students who received credit recovery in high school. DPI was required to report by January 15, 2022, to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee on implementation of the Program and related reported information, including copies of the Program plans.

This act became effective April 9, 2021.