Bill > S163

This bill provides flexibility to Chatham County Schools in setting their academic calendar by modifying two key aspects of North Carolina education law. First, the bill changes the earliest possible start date for the school year from the Monday closest to August 26 to August 10, removing previous provisions that allowed the State Board of Education to grant waivers for earlier start dates. Second, the bill allows local school boards that have implemented a school calendar concluding the fall semester before December 31 to administer student assessments prior to the semester's conclusion, which deviates from the standard requirement that assessments be administered within the final 10 instructional days of year-long courses or final five days of semester courses. These changes are specifically tailored to Chatham County Schools and will take effect for the 2025-2026 school year, giving the school district more autonomy in designing its academic calendar and scheduling assessments. The modifications aim to provide local educational authorities with greater flexibility in managing their academic year while maintaining educational standards.

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S163