Bill > H816

This bill enhances transparency and accountability for nonpublic schools receiving Opportunity Scholarship funds (school vouchers) by introducing several new reporting and compliance requirements. Schools must now annually provide more detailed documentation, including attendance records, teacher licensing percentages, accreditation status, fire inspection records, curriculum details, and specific information about students receiving scholarship grants. The bill expands criminal background check requirements for staff, mandates standardized testing across multiple grade levels with reporting to the State Education Assistance Authority, and requires schools to submit comprehensive audit reports. Additionally, the State Auditor is now required to annually review at least three completed audits of nonpublic schools receiving scholarship funds and report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee about the use of taxpayer funds and academic outcomes. The bill also directs the University of North Carolina's Office of Learning Research to study and recommend standardized testing approaches for third through eighth-grade students in both nonpublic and public schools, with the goal of developing more consistent assessment methods. These changes aim to increase accountability, transparency, and performance tracking for schools participating in the Opportunity Scholarship program.

Government Affairs

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H816