Education

died · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 619: AI Academic Support Grant Program.

SB 619 establishes North Carolina's AI Academic Support Grant Program, providing $10,060,560 in recurring funds for public school districts to contract with Khan Academy for its Khanmigo AI tool. The program directly affects public schools serving grades 6-12, requiring districts to use funds exclusively for Khanmigo licenses, associated teacher training, and secure class rostering systems approved by the state. Schools must annually evaluate Khanmigo's use and report metrics like student interactions, teacher usage, and impacts on learning outcomes to the legislature. A separate study by the Office of Learning Research will measure Khanmigo's effectiveness on student performance, with results due by April 2028.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $10M for AI academic tools in public schools (grades 6-12), directly funding educational technology and teacher training per bill's purpose.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds AI tool implementation in public schools, directly advancing educational technology adoption per bill's $10M grant for Khanmigo licenses and training.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 640: AI Ethics and Literacy Across Education.

This bill requires North Carolina public schools to teach age-appropriate artificial intelligence (AI) literacy from kindergarten through 12th grade starting in the 2025-2026 school year. It mandates state standards covering basic AI concepts, real-world uses, ethical issues like privacy and bias, and responsible AI use - such as preventing academic dishonesty. The standards can be integrated into existing computer science courses for middle and high school students. The bill directly affects all North Carolina public schools and their curriculum planning. It focuses on equipping students with foundational knowledge about AI systems and their societal impacts, rather than creating new programs or funding.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates AI literacy curriculum in K-12, expanding educational content to address emerging tech ethics and use, strengthening curriculum standards.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates teaching AI ethics including privacy and bias, promoting responsible use and data privacy awareness in education curriculum.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 643: Expand and Enhance the Teaching Fellows Program.

SB 643 expands North Carolina's Teaching Fellows Program by increasing funding for forgivable loans to recruit and support future teachers in high-need areas. It directly affects students pursuing teaching careers in qualifying fields (like STEM, special education, and elementary education) and North Carolina public schools facing teacher shortages, especially in rural communities. The bill establishes a Trust Fund to cover loan costs, administrative expenses, and new support services - including mentoring for teachers in low-performing schools and recruitment efforts targeting regions with the worst teacher retention. Key provisions include prioritizing funding for rural schools and requiring the program to use stricter selection criteria for applicants based on academic performance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes Trust Fund to increase state funding for teacher recruitment program, directly allocating budget resources to support public education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands teacher recruitment funding via forgivable loans for high-need areas (STEM, special education), directly strengthening educator workforce development in underserved schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Teachers

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 649: Restore Master's Pay for Teachers and ISP.

SB 649 reinstates education-based salary supplements for North Carolina public school teachers and instructional support personnel (ISP) who hold master's or doctoral degrees. It directs the State Board of Education to use the 2013 policy (TCP-A-006) to determine eligibility for the "M" salary schedule and degree-related pay supplements. The bill appropriates $8 million in recurring state funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to cover these reinstated supplements. This policy change directly affects educators with advanced degrees by restoring previously eliminated pay incentives tied to their academic credentials.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $8M recurring state funds for teacher salary supplements, directly increasing budget allocation for education personnel per bill's funding mandate.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationReinstates master's degree pay supplements for teachers and ISP with $8M funding, directly supporting educator compensation and retention.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRestores salary supplements for teachers/staff with advanced degrees, appropriating $8M to increase compensation for state education employees under employment/compensation policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 644: Green Schools Save Money.

SB 644 allocates $1.5 billion to North Carolina public schools for energy efficiency upgrades, solar panel installations, and replacing combustion-powered school buses with electric models. The bill provides specific funding: $1 billion for building improvements like high-efficiency lighting and HVAC upgrades, $250 million for solar panels on school rooftops, and $250 million to replace qualifying buses (over 10 years old and using motor fuel) with electric buses assembled in North Carolina. These changes directly affect all local school districts through funding tied to student enrollment, aiming to reduce energy costs and emissions. The program begins July 1, 2025, with concrete, measurable infrastructure changes as the core mechanism.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $1.5B in state funds for school energy upgrades and electric buses, directly increasing public education budget spending.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $1.5B for school infrastructure upgrades (HVAC, lighting, solar) and electric buses - directly funds K-12 school facilities under Education subjects.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAllocates $1.5B for solar panels, building efficiency, and electric school buses, directly advancing renewable energy and reducing fossil fuel dependence in public schools.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates $1.5B for solar panels, electric buses, and energy efficiency - directly reduces emissions and promotes clean energy per bill's funding breakdown and environmental subjects.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds solar panels (alternative energy tech) and electric buses (EV technology), directly advancing tech infrastructure in schools per bill's allocation.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates $250M to replace combustion school buses with electric models (assembled in NC), directly advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure and vehicle regulations per subjects list.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Solar

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 645: The Protect Our Schools Act.

SB 645, "The Protect Our Schools Act," requires North Carolina's Department of Transportation to identify "school walk zones" near schools with high pedestrian traffic and set lower speed limits (minimum 20 mph) in those areas during school hours. It increases penalties for speeding in school zones (a $250 fine) or causing injury to a minor (a misdemeanor charge), applying to both public and private schools. The bill creates a $10 million Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Fund to support zone assessments, crosswalk guard training, and public awareness campaigns about school zone safety. These changes directly affect drivers, students, and school communities by strengthening traffic safety measures around schools. The law takes effect on December 1, 2025, with fund allocations beginning July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates $10M Pedestrian Safety Fund for school zones, enhancing school infrastructure and student safety per EDUCATION subject listing and bill title.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires lower speed limits in school zones, increases penalties for violations, and allocates $10M for pedestrian safety enhancements under transportation infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation Pedestrian Safety Traffic Safety

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 647: The Child Promise Act.

SB 647, the Child Promise Act, allocates $90.25 million to expand North Carolina's Pre-K program to 10,000 new slots by 2027, serving 4-year-olds from families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level (FPL). It provides $6.8 million annually in grants for childcare facilities in underserved areas (where child-to-provider ratios exceed 3:1), with funding levels based on facility size (up to $500,000 for large centers) and requiring a 15% match and 5-year service commitment. The bill also funds after-school programs in high-need public schools (over 50% free/reduced lunch students) for 3 hours daily, adjusts childcare subsidies to cover up to 300% FPL for children under 5, and creates a $1,500 tax deduction per child for families earning 300-400% FPL.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $90.25M for Pre-K expansion and $6.8M annual grants to childcare facilities, directly funding public education services under appropriations/budgeting.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $90.25M for Pre-K expansion to 10,000 new slots and $6.8M for childcare grants in underserved areas, directly increasing educational access and funding for early childhood education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

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died · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 663: End Menstrual Poverty Act.

SB 663, the "End Menstrual Poverty Act," allocates $350,000 in one-time state funds to expand access to feminine hygiene products through North Carolina’s diaper banks and $1 million annually to fund a school-based grant program for feminine hygiene products. It directly affects low-income individuals and students who rely on diaper banks and school programs for essential hygiene items. The bill increases funding for existing distribution networks (diaper banks) and creates a recurring school grant program under state law. This provides concrete policy changes by boosting product availability in community and educational settings without altering eligibility or creating new requirements. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $350k one-time and $1M annually for hygiene products via diaper banks/schools, increasing state funding for essential public services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $1M annually for school-based hygiene grants, directly supporting student access and attendance in K-12 settings per EDUCATION/STUDENTS subjects.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $350k one-time and $1M annual funding to expand access to feminine hygiene products through public health channels (diaper banks/schools), directly addressing a critical health access need for low-income populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 24, 2025

SB 371: Stop Chronically Low-Performing Charters.

SB 371 would require North Carolina charter schools with four consecutive years of low academic performance (grades D/F with insufficient growth) to have their charters revoked. It directly affects charter schools identified as "continually low-performing," including the 14,400 students currently enrolled in such schools, and restricts their enrollment expansion until performance improves. Key provisions include mandating that charter schools display their annual performance grade on enrollment applications, limiting remote charter academies to three-year terms, and requiring the state board to identify consistently failing schools annually. The bill aims to address chronically underperforming schools by creating a clear pathway for charter cancellation while allowing limited exceptions for schools showing improvement. It takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates accountability for underperforming charter schools, aiming to improve educational outcomes by revoking charters for consistent low performance (D/F grades).95% confidence

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 725: NC Foster Care and Education Council.

SB 725 establishes the Foster Care and Education Council in North Carolina to improve educational outcomes for youth in foster care. The 27-member council, jointly led by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), includes representatives from child welfare agencies, foster care advocates, education stakeholders, and youth with lived experience. The council’s key duties include reviewing federal and state education laws, analyzing data on foster youth academic performance (including race/ethnicity breakdowns), and developing policy recommendations to address barriers like school instability, transportation access, and coordination gaps. It specifically aims to ensure foster youth can stay in their school of origin and resolve disputes over educational decisions without cost barriers. The bill does not create new funding but mandates coordination between existing state agencies to implement these recommendations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes council to improve educational outcomes for foster youth through law review, data analysis, and stakeholder collaboration, directly advancing educational access for a vulnerable group.92% confidence

Tags Children

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