S105 - 2021 Appropriations Act. (SL 2021-180)

Overview: OVERVIEW AND ANALYSIS: Section 7.38 of S.L. 2021-180 makes various changes to the Advanced Teaching Roles Program. The State Board of Education (SBE) must consider the following as a part of its review every five years of a local school administrative unit's (LEA) approved plan:

• The number of teachers in advanced teaching roles in the LEA and the number of students receiving instruction from those teachers.
• Growth and achievement scores for students.
• Retention of effective teachers.
• Results of the Teacher Working Conditions Survey.
• Ratings of teachers through the North Carolina Teacher Evaluation System.

LEAs are not eligible to receive funding for more than two terms (six years). LEAs that received an initial award of State funds can apply for a second term of up to three years. The LEA can apply at any time (i) after the initial award of State funds expires or (ii) within 90 days prior to the date the initial award of State funds is set to expire. When the SBE receives an application for renewal of State funds from an LEA, the SBE must:

• Review the LEA to ensure compliance with the approved plan and criteria established by the SBE.
• Grant or deny the application within 60 days of its receipt.

The SBE must review and adopt new or revised emergency rules on advanced teaching roles for use in the 2021-2022 school year by February 15, 2022. No later than February 15, 2022, the SBE must select the LEAs that will begin participation in the Advanced Teaching Roles Program starting in the 2022-2023 school year.

This section became effective November 18, 2021.