Bill > S744

This bill increases accountability and reporting standards for nonpublic schools receiving Opportunity Scholarship (voucher) funds in North Carolina. The legislation introduces several new requirements for these schools, including: annually reporting tuition and fees (which must be limited to a 5% increase per year), implementing criminal background check policies for staff, complying with the state's standard course of study, administering state-required standardized tests, providing annual student progress reports, maintaining school accreditation, ensuring at least 50% of teachers are licensed, operating for at least 185 days or 1,025 instructional hours annually, maintaining a four-month operating reserve, and reflecting local demographic diversity. The bill also expands reporting requirements for the Scholarship Authority, mandating new annual reports on student demographics, expulsion trends, learning gains, and comparative performance. Additionally, the legislation reduces funding for the Opportunity Scholarship program by approximately $191.92 million across fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027, effectively scaling back the program's financial allocation. These changes aim to increase transparency, accountability, and educational quality for schools participating in the scholarship grant program, while also providing more comprehensive data for legislative oversight.

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S744