Bill > S580

This bill establishes the North Carolina Competency-Based Education (CBE) Innovation Grant and Network Program, designed to transform educational approaches by focusing on student mastery of skills rather than traditional time-based progression. The program will provide $330,000 grants to 10 selected schools over a four-year period (2025-2029), with $95,000 annually dedicated to training educators in CBE methods. Schools will apply through the Department of Public Instruction, demonstrating their commitment to innovative learning pathways, including personalized student progression, performance-based assessments, and potentially using AI learning tools. A third-party vendor will be selected to support the implementation, developing proficiency scales, providing professional development, and helping create a statewide CBE network. Participating schools will submit quarterly progress reports, and the Department of Public Instruction will compile a comprehensive final report by December 2029, detailing student outcomes, implementation challenges, and recommendations for expanding the program statewide. The program aims to fundamentally reimagine education by allowing students to advance based on demonstrated skill mastery rather than seat time, with the ultimate goal of creating more flexible, personalized learning experiences that better prepare students for future challenges.

Budget and Finance

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S580