A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to direct the study of kindergarten through Twelfth grade student retention.
Whereas, owing to the need to accommodate extraordinary circumstances due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19), principals have been given the authority to determine the appropriate 2020‑2021 school year grade level for students in all grade levels; and
Whereas there will be a continued need in future years to make the most effective and appropriate policy decisions regarding student retention; and
Whereas interventions such as Read to Achieve reading camps, literacy coaches, or other research‑based interventions can provide effective methods of avoiding retention; and
Whereas student retention is costly and can lead to lower graduation rates; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is established the Study on K‑12 Student Retention (Study). The purpose of the Study is to make findings and recommendations on the practice of student retention for grades K‑12. In determining its findings and recommendations, the Study shall examine the following:
(1)	Current data related to student retention, including (i) the number of students retained for the 2017‑2018, 2018‑2019, and 2019‑2020 school years from all local school administrative units and charter schools and (ii) the test scores and other considerations used in determining retention for each student retained.
(2)	Disaggregated data on student retention that would address matters of equity and inclusion among different demographic groups.
(3)	Policy recommendations on student retention for each grade level.
(4)	Additional remediation resources recommended for students at risk of retention.
(5)	Any other information deemed relevant to the Study in determining its findings and recommendations on K‑12 student retention.
SECTION 2.  In order to effectively accomplish its purpose, the Study shall be carried out by 20 members with relevant expertise on K‑12 education appointed by the State Board of Education as follows:
(1)	One superintendent representing a local school administrative unit located in each of the eight Department of Public Instruction Regional Services regions as follows: Northeast, Southeast, North Central, Sandhills, Piedmont‑Triad, Southwest, Northwest, and Western.
(2)	One elementary school principal, one middle school principal, and one high school principal.
(3)	One elementary school teacher, one middle school teacher, and one high school teacher.
(4)	Two public school counselors.
(5)	Two public school psychologists.
(6)	Two faculty members with professional expertise in K‑12 academic performance and K‑12 student retention, representing two separate constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina.
SECTION 3.  Appointments shall be made no later than August 1, 2020. In making its appointments, the State Board shall consider the geographic and cultural diversity of the State. The State Board of Education shall designate one member to serve as chair of the Study. The chair shall call the initial meeting of the Study on or before September 1, 2020. The Study shall subsequently meet upon such notice and in such manner as its members determine. A majority of the members of the Study shall constitute a quorum. The State Board and the Department of Public Instruction shall provide professional clerical staff and other services and supplies, including meeting space or an electronic platform to facilitate virtual meetings, or both, as needed for the Study to carry out its purpose.
SECTION 4.  No later than December 31, 2021, the Study shall submit a report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee on its findings and recommendations regarding the efficacy of student retention in grades K‑12. The Study shall terminate on December 31, 2021, or upon the filing of the final report, whichever occurs first.
SECTION 5.(a)  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction the sum of seventy‑five thousand dollars ($75,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2020‑2021 fiscal year for the administration of the Study.
SECTION 5.(b)  The provisions of the State Budget Act, Chapter 143C of the General Statutes, are reenacted and shall remain in full force and effect and are incorporated in this act by reference.
SECTION 5.(c)  Except where expressly repealed or amended by this act, the provisions of any other legislation enacted during the 2019 Regular Session of the General Assembly expressly appropriating funds to an agency, a department, or an institution covered under this act, shall remain in effect.
SECTION 5.(d)  If House Bill 966, 2019 Regular Session, becomes law, and any provision of that act or a provision of the Committee Report described in Section 42.2 of that act conflicts with this act, this act shall control.
SECTION 6.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2020.