A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FLEXIBILITY TO THE CHARLOTTE‑MECKLENBURG BOARD OF EDUCATION TO INCREASE STUDENT PROFICIENCY FOR STUDENTS AND TO EXPAND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEACHERS IN ADOPTING THEIR SCHOOL CALENDAR.
Whereas, it is the intent of the North Carolina General Assembly to maximize both student proficiency and student growth throughout its infrastructure of public schools throughout the State;
Whereas, aligning the K‑12 testing calendar and semester end dates will allow students to minimize winter learning loss, increase end‑of‑course test scores, and allow students who graduate from high school in December to enroll in college without missing the first few weeks of the semester;
Whereas, shifting the school calendar will allow teachers and other school employees to more easily complete meaningful professional development opportunities;
Whereas, a week of instructional time is routinely wasted across the State in January when teachers have no other option than to invest a week in January to refresh their students across multiple content areas; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 115C‑84.2(d) reads as rewritten:
"(d)	Opening and Closing Dates. – Local boards of education shall determine the dates of opening and closing the public schools under subdivision (a)(1) of this section.
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SECTION 2.  This act applies only to the Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Schools.
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law and applies beginning with the 2015‑2016 school year.