HB 1017 aims to improve teacher quality and availability in North Carolina by creating new roles, funding recruitment programs, and launching studies to address workforce challenges. The bill directs the state to develop a comprehensive plan for reforming teacher licensing and compensation to attract more educators, while also studying how to better prepare and graduate 5,000 in-state teachers annually. Significant funding is allocated to support existing and new teacher recruitment initiatives, such as "Grow-Your-Own" programs and the Teaching Fellows loan program, specifically targeting high-need schools and subjects like special education and STEM. Additionally, the legislation mandates a study to coordinate recruitment efforts between universities and local school districts to ensure a more efficient statewide system.
This bill requires local public school districts and charter schools in North Carolina to allow students with disabilities who attend private schools to enroll part-time in public programs. It mandates that schools create written policies permitting these students to access specific courses, services, or specialized education while remaining enrolled in their nonpublic schools. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that part-time students will not count toward a charter school's official enrollment growth numbers and provides $10,000 in funding to help schools cover the administrative costs of implementing these changes.
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.
HB 239 modifies North Carolina's funding formula for children with disabilities in public schools. It changes how funds are allocated to local school districts by capping per-child funding at 13% of a district's total enrollment plus students using state scholarship programs. The bill requires the State Education Assistance Authority to provide annual scholarship data by March 15 to help calculate district funding. It also appropriates $25 million in recurring funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to support this revised funding structure, effective July 1, 2025.
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.
HB 941 expands North Carolina's Teaching Fellows Program to address teacher shortages by providing forgivable loans to students pursuing teaching careers in high-need areas like special education, STEM, elementary education (K-6), and specific secondary subjects. The bill establishes a Trust Fund to cover loan amounts (up to $12,000 annually for up to four years), administrative costs, mentorship, and extracurricular programs like summer initiatives and alumni engagement. It requires selected colleges to meet strict standards, including high graduate effectiveness rates, alignment with "Science of Reading" training for elementary programs, and diverse school practicum opportunities. The program directly affects prospective teachers enrolled at up to 14 approved institutions of higher education who commit to teaching in qualifying licensure areas across North Carolina public schools.
SB 77 allows parents of students with disabilities to choose their preferred nurse for school-based nursing services required by an Individualized Education Program (IEP), provided specific conditions are met. The bill requires schools to assign the parent's chosen nurse if that nurse previously provided care to the student, the nursing agency agrees to contract under standard terms, and the rate matches other contracted nurses. This directly affects families of students needing nursing services under IEPs and ensures schools honor parent preferences without altering their obligation to provide a free appropriate public education. The policy applies starting the 2025-2026 school year.
