Education

in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 10, 2025

HB 883: Support Students with Disabilities Act.

HB 883 establishes a grant program for North Carolina school districts to cover extraordinary costs for students with disabilities, particularly for placements outside regular schools (like private special education programs or homebound settings). School districts can apply for 75% reimbursement of eligible costs - such as specialized staff salaries, materials, or private school tuition - provided these costs exceed four times the state average per-pupil expenditure for disabilities. The bill requires annual IEP reviews, mandates that districts maintain legal responsibility for students in private placements, and directs the Department of Public Instruction to report on placements and costs by March 2026. It appropriates $1 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to fund this program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates state grant program funding 75% reimbursement for disability education costs, directly increasing public education spending per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes 75% grant reimbursement for disability-related costs exceeding state average, directly funding special education access and support per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Higher Education Special Education

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 670: Workforce Credential Grant Program/Career and College Pathways.

House Bill 670 establishes the Career and College Pathways Innovation Challenge Grant Program, providing competitive grants to North Carolina community colleges. These grants support local and regional partnerships that aim to increase postsecondary enrollment and completion for students and adults, align educational offerings with workforce needs, and reduce educational opportunity gaps. The State Board of Community Colleges administers the program, awarding funds for initiatives like work-based learning and financial support beyond tuition. For the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 fiscal years, $2 million is specifically allocated to community colleges in counties affected by Hurricane Helene. The bill appropriates $5 million in recurring funds for the program, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state-funded grants for community colleges, directly allocating appropriations to advance educational programs and workforce development through budgeting mechanisms.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes competitive grants for community colleges to increase postsecondary enrollment, align education with workforce needs, and reduce opportunity gaps through direct funding of higher education initiatives.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds community college partnerships to align education with workforce needs, enhancing job readiness and career pathways for workers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Workforce Development

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 966: College Cost Reduction Act.

HB 966, the College Cost Reduction Act, prohibits all University of North Carolina (UNC) schools from requiring students to pay extra for mandatory course software (Learning Management Systems or LMS). It directly affects UNC students by banning any requirement for paid LMS access beyond existing, approved student fees. The bill mandates the UNC Board of Governors to create a policy ensuring professors or courses cannot force students to pay for LMS services - only free or fee-covered options may be required. The rule takes effect for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits extra fees for mandatory course software, reducing student costs and improving access to higher education resources without restricting academic requirements.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyPrevents mandatory paid LMS access, promoting digital equity in educational technology use by removing financial barriers to required course software.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 983: Prohibit Corporal Punishment in Schools.

HB 983 prohibits corporal punishment in all North Carolina public schools, directly affecting students and school staff. The bill replaces existing permissive rules with a full ban, requiring schools to maintain detailed records of any past use (though none currently occur), report demographic data on disciplinary actions annually, and allow parents to opt their children out of corporal punishment. It clarifies that physical restraint under federal law or reasonable force isn't considered corporal punishment. The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBans corporal punishment in schools, directly protecting students and strengthening student discipline policies under education framework.90% confidence

Track

in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 1005: Clarify Ballot Language for Article 46 Tax.

HB 1005 modifies the ballot language for a county sales tax referendum in North Carolina, clarifying the tax rate and its intended use. The bill changes the ballot question to specify a 0.25% sales tax (one penny per $4 spent) and explicitly states that proceeds will fund teacher and education employee pay raises, while exempting gas, groceries, motor vehicles, and prescription drugs. This change directly affects voters in counties holding referendums under Article 46 of Chapter 105, ensuring clearer communication about the tax’s scope and purpose. The bill does not alter the tax rate or funding rules but standardizes how the proposal is presented to voters.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill clarifies ballot language to direct 0.25% sales tax revenue toward teacher pay raises, explicitly advancing public education funding through targeted tax allocation.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirectly allocates clarified sales tax revenue to fund teacher and education employee pay raises, strengthening educator compensation and school funding.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly directs sales tax proceeds to fund teacher and education employee pay raises, directly advancing wages for public sector workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Teachers

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 106: Revive High-Need Retired Teachers Program.

This bill revives and expands a program that allows eligible retired educators to return to work in high-need schools. It defines "high-need retired teachers" as beneficiaries of the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System who meet specific retirement and service criteria, and are reemployed by local boards of education. A key provision ensures that earnings from this reemployment do not count against post-retirement earnings limits, allowing these teachers to receive both their full retirement allowance and a salary. The Department of Public Instruction is tasked with certifying these teachers, and local boards must report their employment status to the Retirement System.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRevives program enabling retired teachers to return to high-need schools without losing retirement benefits, strengthening educator staffing and access in underserved schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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died · North Carolina · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 985: Increase Punishment for Assaulting Teachers.

HB 985 increases the criminal penalty for assaulting a school employee or volunteer in North Carolina. It reclassifies such assaults from a Class A1 misdemeanor to a Class I felony when the incident occurs while the individual is performing their duties or as a result of their duties. The bill broadly defines "school employee or volunteer" to include staff, independent contractors, and adult volunteers involved in school activities. It also protects school personnel from civil or criminal liability for taking reasonable actions to end student fights. Finally, the bill updates supervisor reporting requirements for assaults and prohibits intimidating employees from reporting these incidents.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeReclassifies assaults on school staff as felony, increasing penalties per bill's explicit sentencing changes.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects educators by increasing penalties for assaults, directly strengthening safety for teachers and school staff within education policy.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects school staff (workers) from assault, enhancing workplace safety for educators under Labor & Employment topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 659: Investing in North Carolina Act.

SB 659, the "Investing in North Carolina Act," raises salaries for public school teachers and state employees for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It establishes a new monthly salary schedule for teachers based on experience (ranging from $4,600 for 0 years to $6,370 for 29+ years), adds specific supplements for certified teachers, nurses, counselors, and specialists, and provides cost-of-living increases for retirees. The bill also expands the Wage$ program statewide and creates a tax credit for qualifying employers equal to 5% of wages paid or $10,000, whichever is lower. Directly affecting teachers, state employees, community college staff, UNC employees, retirees, and participating employers, it focuses on concrete pay adjustments through funding appropriations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates increased state funding for teacher/state employee salaries, creates tax credits, and establishes new budgetary provisions for public services, advancing fiscal support for education and personnel.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRaises public school teacher salaries via experience-based schedule ($4,600-$6,370) and adds supplements for educators, directly advancing teacher compensation and retention in K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRaises public school teacher/state employee salaries via experience-based pay scale, adds supplements for certified staff, and includes cost-of-living increases for retirees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Higher Education

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died · North Carolina · Senate Mar 6, 2025

SB 236: Funds for Edgecombe CC.

This bill allocates $1,000,000 from the General Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to Edgecombe Community College. The funds are specifically designated as a directed grant to construct an Industrial Technology and Skilled Trades Facility. This facility aims to strengthen the local workforce by providing training infrastructure. The appropriation becomes effective July 1, 2025, and directly affects Edgecombe Community College and the regional workforce development efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1M from General Fund for community college facility, directly funding public education infrastructure per budget appropriation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $1M for community college facility construction, directly funding higher education infrastructure to strengthen workforce training programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds skilled trades facility construction to strengthen regional workforce development and job readiness through education, directly advancing employment training infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Higher Education Workforce Development

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passed · North Carolina · Senate Apr 30, 2025

SB 579: Transforming the High School Experience.

SB 579 aims to transform the high school experience in North Carolina. It establishes the North Carolina High School Redesign Commission, tasked with exploring and recommending changes to high school and higher education policies to better prepare students for college or the workforce. The Commission will examine areas like flexible diploma requirements, work-based learning, industry credentials, and personalized, competency-based learning pathways. The bill also creates the Competency-Based High School and Healthcare and High-Tech Pathways Program. This program, initially involving the Mooresville Graded School District and Mitchell Community College, will develop competency-based pathways for students to earn associate degrees or industry credentials, with an initial emphasis on healthcare.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes commission to redesign high school policies for better college/work readiness via flexible diplomas, work-based learning, and competency pathways.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education K-12 Education

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