GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1999

S	1 

SENATE BILL 1243*

Short Title:  IHE Rep Card Changes/Study HS Progs.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Senators Lee, Dalton, Carter, Dannelly, Garrou, Garwood, Hagan, Hartsell, Lucas, Martin of Guilford, Reeves, Rucho, and Wellons.

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Referred to:  Education/Higher Education.

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May 16, 2000

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO IMPLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO REPORT ANNUALLY ON IHE REPORT CARDS AND TO DIRECT THE EDUCATION CABINET TO STUDY VARIOUS HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  G.S. 115C-296(b1) reads as rewritten:
"(b1)	The State Board of Education shall develop a plan to provide a focused review of teacher education programs and the current process of accrediting these programs in order to ensure that the programs produce graduates that are well prepared to teach. The plan shall include the development and implementation of a school of education performance report for each teacher education program in North Carolina. The performance report shall include at least the following elements: (i) quality of students entering the schools of education, including the average grade point average and average score on preprofessional skills tests that assess reading, writing, math and other competencies; (ii) graduation rates; (iii) time-to-graduation rates; (iv) average scores of graduates on professional and content area examination for the purpose of certification; (v) percentage of graduates receiving initial certification; (vi) percentage of graduates hired as teachers; (vii) percentage of graduates remaining in teaching for four years; (viii) graduate satisfaction based on a common survey; and (ix) employer satisfaction based on a common survey. The performance reports shall follow a common format. The performance reports shall be submitted annually. The State Board of Education shall develop a plan to be implemented beginning in the 1998-99 school year to reward and sanction approved teacher education programs and masters of education programs and to revoke approval of those programs based on the performance reports and other criteria established by the State Board of Education.
The State Board also shall develop and implement a plan for annual performance reports for all masters degree programs in education and school administration in North Carolina. To the extent it is appropriated, the performance report shall include similar indicators to those developed for the performance report for teacher education programs. The performance reports shall follow a common format.
Both plans for performance reports also shall include a method to provide the annual performance reports to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina, the State Board of Education, and the boards of trustees of the independent colleges. The State Board of Education shall review the schools of education performance reports and the performance reports for masters degree programs in education and school administration each year the performance reports are submitted.  The State Board shall submit the performance reports to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee on an annual basis by December 15 or by a date that coincides with the federal reporting date once it is adopted."
Section 2.  The General Assembly believes educational programs for high school students should provide student accountability, program accountability, access, and efficiency. Therefore, the Education Cabinet, created under G.S. 116C-1, shall study public school, community college, and university programs offered to high school students. These programs include the cooperative high school program, the adult high school diploma program, advanced placement courses, honors courses, and university courses offered to high school students.  The Cabinet shall do the following:
(1)	Examine these programs for overlap.
(2)	Consider which education entity is the most appropriate one to offer each program.
(3)	Consider distance learning options.
(4)	Examine whether there should be tuition waivers for high school students who take courses at community colleges or universities.
(5)	Determine whether there should be a minimum age for participation in the adult high school program.
(6)	Determine the feasibility, advantages and disadvantages, procedures, and costs for requiring students who participate in the adult high school program to take tests required of high school students taking the same courses.
(7)	Evaluate the recent recommendations concerning the cooperative high school program that were made to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by the State Board of Education and the State Board of Community Colleges.  In particular, the Cabinet shall determine whether students should receive weighted credit on their high school transcripts for college level courses taken at community colleges, universities, or colleges, and whether this program is an appropriate venue for developmental courses.
The Cabinet shall report its findings, including any  recommendations, to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by November 15, 2000. 
Section 3. This act is effective when it becomes law.